The move is no surprise, but it's the latest insult to Illinois' former chief executive, who served from 2003 to 2009 before being impeached and removed from office. The court order released Wednesday, states "respondent [Blagojevich] is suspended from the practice of law effective immediately and until further order of court."
The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission went to the Illinois Supreme Court and asked justices to strip Blagojevich of his right to practice law after his conviction on multiple corruption charges.
Blagojevich has not actually practiced law since before he was elected to the U.S. Congress nearly 15 years ago, so the court order will have little practical impact on his already diminished earning power.
In Springfield Wednesday, lawmakers made moves to ensure Blagojevich will not be able to receive his $65,000 a year state pension. That decision is normally left up to a state board, but that board doesn't meet again until April and the former governor is eligible to begin receiving the pension on his 55 th birthday in December.
The Blagojevich family is in serious money trouble. They put their Chicago home on the market earlier this month. And on Tuesday night, the ABC7 I-Team learned Patti Blagojevich was starting her own insurance brokerage business. She has a website but wouldn't say whether she's earned any clients just yet.
Blagojevich is currently awaiting sentencing in the corruption convictions, which include trying to profit from his appointment to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President Barack Obama.
