On January 29, 2009, Milorad “Rod” Blagojevich, the 40th Governor of the State of Illinois was removed from office.  On January 14th of this year, he was impeached by the Illinois House of Representatives.  He was then quickly removed from office after an Illinois Senate trial that started on January 26th.  The final vote was 59 to 0.

It’s been a foregone conclusion that Blagojevich would be removed from office since he was arrested by the FBI on conspiracy charges on December 9, 2008.  His exit starts the end of an incredibly embarrassing period in Illinois government.  The Blagojevich saga has provided almost daily  fodder for national political pundits and comedians.  In a certain sense, it hit “the big-time” and  “rock bottom” simultaneously when the Governor’s antics were parodied on Saturday Night Live.

But, ChicagoTechNews.com is not a gossip column, or an Op-Ed tabloid.  It is designed for serious, credible, legible, public discourse.  So, what does “Blago’s” exit really mean for the Chicago technology community?  My guess is it is probably going to be good – or at least start an era of improved state governance. (more…)