Judge agrees to recommend prisons for Cellini

A judge in Chicago has agreed to recommend that a convicted Springfield businessman serve his year prison sentence for corruption in facilities in either Montgomery, Ala., or Fort Worth, Texas.

A ruling filed Monday in Chicago federal court says William Cellini’s judge will recommend those lockups as requested by the defense. Prison officials have the final say but usually follow a judge’s recommendation.

The 77-year-old once known as the “King of Clout” was sentenced in early October. A jury convicted him last year for attempting to extort a movie producer for $1.5 million for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign.

Cellini suffered heart problems this year, and a defense filing says the Texas lockup has equipment to deal with his medical issues.

Blagojevich is serving a 14-year term in Colorado on multiple convictions.