The Illinois Supreme Court has suspended convicted former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich’s license to practice law.
The court acted Wednesday in response to a request from the state Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Mr. Blagojevich, who is currently awaiting sentencing on federal corruption convictions, had previously sought to maintain his license to practice law in the state.
The Chicago Democrat has been a lawyer since 1984, however, he has not practiced law since joining Congress in 1997. The Illinois Democrat was governor from 2003 to 2009, before being impeached and convicted of attempting to sell then-Senator Barack Obama’s Senate seat.
The suspension of his law license could lead to Mr. Blagojevich being disbarred.
Mr. Blagojevich may also lose his ability to collect his pension. The General Assembly Retirement System board added the extra layer of scrutiny Wednesday, announcing that any former lawmaker or statewide official convicted of a felony should get more scrutiny before the pension system begins cutting them checks.
Typically, a former lawmaker or statewide official would apply for a pension, and the checks start soon thereafter.
