Blagojevich arrest is no huge shock

The arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich for numerous alleged criminal charges does not really shock some of us experienced political old-timers. After all, this is Illinois, where, in recent history, three governors including George Ryan, one state auditor, one state attorney general, one state treasurer, numerous state officials, judges, lawyers, sheriff's deputies, court bailiffs and Chicago aldermen have gone to jail.

In the mid-1980s "Operation Greylord" produced 92 indictments and 87 convictions of Cook County judges, lawyers and court personnel for bribery, racketeering, mail fraud and conspiracy.

As one "old-timer" who lobbied the state legislature in the 1950s, I remember when it was not unusual for a state legislator to advise bringing money for members of a committee to assure passage of a bill. At that time, it was reported that one-third of state legislators accepted direct payoffs, not disguised as "political contributions." Some lobbyist offers even included "play to play" prostitutes.

Fortunately, many of those working in state government were and are honest, conscientious and hardworking. Unfortunately, there is still too much influence in state and federal government dependent on "the more you spend the more you get," legally or illegally.

The people of Illinois are very fortunate to have the services of our U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and his staff to be prosecuting Gov. Blagojevich and others like him.

John V. Whaley

Naperville