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Overview
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age69 years old (Dec 10, 1956)
GenderMale
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LocationIllinois
BackgroundPolitician
EducationNorthwestern University (BA)
Notable personal detailsRod Blagojevich is an American politician and attorney who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009 and previously represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives. He graduated from Northwestern University and earned a law degree from Pepperdine University. Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office in 2009.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Rod Blagojevich proposed major tax increases on businesses and corporate loopholes, including a gross-receipts tax and higher business tax rates, with revenue directed to expanded health care, education, pensions, and public investment. He also pushed for corporate tax-disclosure requirements and positioned tax changes as shifting more of the burden onto large corporations to fund increased government spending.
Healthcare
Has supported expanding government-provided health coverage and state health programs. As governor, he expanded Medicaid/FamilyCare and children's coverage, created programs like All Kids and Illinois Cares Rx, and advanced initiatives to increase access for underserved populations. His record includes efforts to protect Medicaid recipients and increase state-funded screening and treatment programs for low-income and minority residents.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate has a record of supporting state-level immigrant integration measures (naturalization assistance, in-state tuition for undocumented students, recognition of consular IDs) from his time as Illinois governor, while in recent public comments he has criticized federal and local leaders for lenient border policies and praised enforcement actions. The mix of documented pro-immigrant state initiatives and later enforcement-focused rhetoric yields conflicting signals on a clear overall stance.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Rod Blagojevich has publicly supported access to contraceptives and emergency contraception and acted to prevent pharmacists from blocking prescriptions; he described himself as fully pro-choice and opposed legislation that would roll back reproductive-access protections. His record shows active support for reproductive access while governor of Illinois.
Climate & Energy
Has supported renewable energy policies (renewable portfolio standards, large biofuels investments and incentives) while also promoting coal incentives and ‘clean coal’ projects, showing support for both renewables and fossil-fuel interests.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports stricter gun safety laws, including closing gun-show loopholes and expanding background checks, and has urged passage of a statewide assault-weapons ban. Has publicly allied with gun-violence prevention groups and called for restrictions on military-style weapons and stronger controls to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited persons.
News
Rod Blagojevich is in the news as a candidate tied to the Illinois primary, but the provided reports give few direct details about his own campaign. The clearest recent development is a new poll showing many Chicago-area Democratic and independent voters care strongly about candidates who oppose ICE. Broader primary coverage also points to the Illinois races moving forward, though it does not spell out Blagojevich’s specific position or performance.
Chicago and suburban Democratic voters more likely to vote for candidates who fought ICE, poll finds
The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for March 14
Republicans Get Early Midterm Warning as Democratic Turnout Surges
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising