Rod Blagojevich (, born December 10, 1956), often referred to by his nickname "Blago", is an American former politician, political commentator, and convicted felon who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to his 2009 impeachment following charges of public corruption for which he was later sentenced to federal prison. A member of the Democratic Party, Blagojevich previously worked in both the state and federal legislatures. He served as a congressman for Illinois from 1997 to 2003 and an Illinois state representative from 1993 to 1997.