... Gubernatorial crime is the norm.

Four of the past 10 former Illinois governors are among the public officials who have been convicted of offenses in Illinois.

Rod Blagojevich (2003-2009): convicted in 2011
George Ryan (1999-2003): convicted in 2006
Daniel Walker (1973-1977): pleaded guilty in 1987

Otto Kerner (1961-1968): convicted in 1973
Acquitted at trial: Len Small (1921-1929) and William Stratton (1953-1961)


This culture of corruption has infiltrated the governor’s mansion, with four of Illinois’ past 10 governors spending time in federal prison. An additional two governors were prosecuted for wrongdoing but acquitted at trial. Even current Gov. J.B. Pritzker has come under federal investigation for a toilet removal scheme that resulted in property tax breaks at one of his Gold Coast mansions.

A contractor removed all the toilets in one of Pritzker’s Gold Coast mansions – and promptly reinstalled a single working toilet in Pritzker’s “hangout/meeting area” after the mansion was deemed uninhabitable. The county inspector’s evaluation cut Pritzker’s property tax bill by $331,000.

An investigation in 2018 by the Cook County inspector general described the incident as a “scheme to defraud,” and Pritzker pledged to repay the money when it was exposed during his gubernatorial campaign. The Pritzkers came under federal investigation following the scandal, making Pritzker yet another Illinois governor whose actions have been called into question for corruption.

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/4-of-illinois-past-10-governors-went-to-prison/