(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Forget the butter cow. Reporters showing up for the first day of the Illinois State Fair wanted to know what Gov. J.B. Pritkzer thought about the possibility of one of his predecessors being released early from prison with a commutation from President Trump.
“President Trump has some pretty important things he ought to be dealing with,” Pritkzer said Thursday after a fair ribbon-cutting in Springfield. “Not the least of which is the mindless killings over the last week and gun safety. I wish he’d focus on that.”
President Trump earlier this week signaled he’s leaning toward commuting Blagojevich’s 14-year sentence for political corruption. Blagojevich is in the middle of his 14-year sentence.
Some Illinois politicians have expressed an open mind about an early release for Blagojevich, given the stiffness of his sentence compared to other elected officials convicted of similar crimes.
Not Pritzker.
“Gov. Blagojevich should remain in prison,” he said.
Pritkzer was recorded by the feds talking to then-Gov. Blagojevich about a potential state job. He was not accused of wrongdoing, but the conversation proved embarrassing to Pritzker as he ran for governor himself last year.