The Word on Illinois Governor

After weeks of accusations, allegations and denials, only a few words were needed by front pages in Illinois to report on the fate of Rod Blagojevich.

"Thrown Out," the Northwest Herald of Crystal Lake said after the Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to impeach the embattled governor.

"He's Gone," The State Journal Register said from Springfield. The state capital newspaper noted that Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat once held by Barack Obama, was the first Illinois governor to be tossed from office. "Ousted," proclaimed the Daily Herald of suburban Chicago.

From "Bye-Bye Blago" to "Game Over" to "Blag-Gone," Illinois newspaper headlines reflected the gritty style of the state's first Democratic governor in 25 years. The Chicago Sun-Times quoted Blagojevich, the son of a transit ticket taker: "Sorry for what?"

The Chicago Tribune looked forward with a quote from Patrick Quinn, the No. 2 who immediately was sworn in as governor: "The ordeal is over."

The headline on the Southtown Star front page in Tinley Park was just a hair too cute, but it did sum up the news: "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow."

Inaugural Pages Celebrate Hometown Heroes

Washington is now home to Barack Obama and Joe Biden. But America's new president and vice president are tied to Chicago and Wilmington, Del. Hometown newspapers the Chicago Tribune and The News Journal provided extraordinary coverage of the inauguration. The Tribune's front page reversed a quote from Obama's inaugural address into a picture of the new president taking the oath of office. "A dream that once seemed inconceivable became an irrefutable fact on Tuesday," it said, with a reference to an inside commemorative section. The Chicago Sun-Times pictured a close-up of Obama with his right hand raised and an inset quote "So Help Me God."

The News Journal chose a photo that included members of the Obama family and incorporated its nameplate and a reference to 25 pages of coverage in its front-page design. "Delaware's Biden becomes nation's 47th vice president," it added with a photo of Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

Obama is the first president from Hawaii, and The Honolulu Advertiser used the Getty Images photo that appeared on The News Journal and paired it with a photo of the crowd gathered for the ceremony. "President Barack Obama, born and raised in our Islands, launches the next chapter of American history."

Portraits of Obama and Scranton-native Biden appeared on the cover of a special section of The Times-Tribune in Pennsylvania. Its "Souvenir Edition" front page said: "Hope and History."

Wide Shot Stars at Inaugural

CBS' Bob Schieffer said in his analysis of the inauguration that the real star of the afternoon ceremony was the sea of humanity gathered at the Capitol and along the Mall to witness the historic event. "The star of this show is the wide shot," he said. CBS included a crowds photo gallery in its inauguration coverage, and USA TODAY used an image of the crowd on its Home Page. The Chicago Tribune's The Swamp blog quoted a Washington Post estimate of a record 2 million in attendance.

Tribune Breaks News on Blagojevich Pick

The Chicago Tribune's Web site breaks the news that embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to pick the state's former attorney general for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. Beyond the news report, the site has a gallery of 15 photos of Roland Burris, 71. A poll and reader comments accompany the news. Expect updates by the Tribune shortly, as Blagojevich has a press conference scheduled for this afternoon. Blagojevich has been accused of corruption and trying to sell the Senate post. The Chicago Sun-Times chronicles the accusations on its "Blagobusted" page.

Obama Report Top News in Illinois

Across Illinois, the investigation into the actions of Gov. Rod Blagojevich made top headlines again today. What prompted the headlines? An internal report by the Obama team that concluded White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel did not have improper discussions with the governor about filling Obama's U.S. Senate seat. In a staff-written report, the Chicago Tribune said in its lead story: "Internal review clears staffers/Emanuel role called innocent, appropriate." Some newspaper used an AP report and highlighted the news that President-elect Barack Obama met with investigators probing the corruption allegations against the governor. "Obama talked with investigators," the Springfield Journal-Register said. The state capital newspaper pictured Emanuel and added, "Transition team's internal probe finds no improper contacts with Blagojevich." Said the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, "Obama, aides met with Feds/Blagojevich investigators eyed transition team's role." The Daily Herald of suburban Chicago used two words: "No impropriety."

Illinois Governor Arrested

AP is reporting that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on corruption charges. It quotes a federal law-enforcement official as saying the charges result from Blagojevich's handling of the selection of a successor to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Beyond the breaking news, the Chicago Tribune's Web site includes a backgrounder, criminal complaint, video of Blagojevich's reaction and photos of his time in office. We didn't have to wait long for the Chicago Sun-Times headline. "Busted," said the banner headline on an eight-page special edition.
The Sun-Times also is reporting: "The charges also include alleged attempts by the governor to influence the Tribune editorial board, threatening, that if the Tribune didn’t support him, he wouldn’t approve the sale of Wrigley Field." The Tribune posted a statement from Editor Gerould Kern that included: "On occasion, prosecutors asked us to delay publication of stories, asserting that disclosure would jeopardize the criminal investigation. In isolated instances, we granted the requests, but other requests were refused." From Illinois' state capital, the Springfield Journal-Register reports that the first demand for the governor's resignation has been made.