From impersonating Elvis to eating bugs, it’s been strange year since Ill. governor’s arrest

Ill. marks strange year since governor’s arrest

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois is about to mark the anniversary of Gov. Rod Blagojevich being arrested on federal corruption charges.

It’s been a strange year since Dec. 9, 2008.

Blagojevich was kicked out of office and became a national punch line. He wrote a book and has been hired out as an Elvis impersonator. His wife ate a tarantula on reality TV.

The Blagojevich show isn’t over yet.

He is set to appear on “Celebrity Apprentice” next year and then face a trial.

Democrats worry the scandal will cost them the governor’s mansion and a Senate seat.

The scandal also inspired an overhaul of Illinois ethics laws, including the first-ever limit on campaign donations.