IFI Statement on Blagojevich Conviction

This afternoon, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was found guilty of making false statements or representations to the FBI.

After 14 days of deliberation the jury said it was hung on 23 other counts against him and on the charges against the former governor’s brother, Robert Blagojevich. 

It is more than apparent to those of us who closely watch the political scene here in Illinois that there are problems regarding not only politicians, but Illinois government which go far beyond the impeachment, trial and conviction of Rod Blagojevich. Character matters. From Dan Walker to Otto Kerner to George Ryanwho is now serving time in a federal prison, corruption seems to be an ingrained part of politics and government business in the state of Illinois. It must be rooted out. 

But as Christians, our first reaction to Rod Blagojevich’s conviction should be to pray for his young daughters and the devastation of knowing their father is headed to prison. We also need to keep the former governor in prayer, as it would appear that the Lord is humbling and chastening Rod Blagojevich, despite the fact that the former governor continues to proclaim his innocence and repeat the line the he “did nothing wrong.” The question is, when will he heed the call to repent? We need to pray that Rod would seek to draw closer to God and His Truth through this sad experience and the hard times ahead. 

Though he did wrong, the staff and board of directors at IFI will pray that God will come into his life and he will accept the forgiveness He made available to all of us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope and pray that this experience will help bring an end to systemic corruption which permeates Illinois politics. 

Subsequently, Blagojevich’s impeachment and conviction, though personally devastating, may be a good thing in the long run for Illinois politics and Illinois families.

“Bad men cannot make good citizens. 
A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.”
~Patrick Henry