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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Love Him Tender: Blagojevich Still Elvis Fanatic In Prison

"Prison Bars" by Flickr User Michael Coghlan / (CC X 2.0)

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich gave up his life-sized Elvis Presley statue when he went to prison in 2012, but not his love for the King.

Blagojevich's attorney says in court documents arguing for a reduction in his 14-year sentence that he has studied guitar and formed a band named after one of Elvis's biggest hits: "Jailhouse Rock."

Attorney Leonard Goodman says Blagojevich and another inmate have performed as "The Jailhouse Rockers'' at times. 

Goodman also says Blagojevich has been anything but a hound dog while serving time for corruption convictions, tutoring inmates studying for their GED, teaching history and providing job interview counseling for soon-to-be-released inmates. 

Under his current sentence, Blagojevich cannot be released until early 2024 at the earliest. His resentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9.

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