On Thursday afternoon, well-wishers began arriving at his home on Chicago's Southeast Side.
After spending 10 months in prison, Vrdolyak must now spend another 10 months in home confinement as part of his sentence. Back in 2008, Vrdolyak pleaded guilty in a one-and-a-half million dollar real estate kickback scheme.
Vrdolyak's defense attorney Michael Monico says his client was in the same prison as former Governor George Ryan.
"Governor Ryan went through a very, very difficult time losing his wife and his brother in the last year. and I think the fact that Ed was there was a source of some comfort to Governor Ryan," said Monico.
Vrdolyak was originally sentenced to probation. But prosecutors appealed that sentence and a new judge ordered prison time.
