Highlights of the strange year since Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested by FBI

Highlights of the year since Blagojevich’s arrest

Key events in the year since Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges:

— Dec. 9: Blagojevich arrested by FBI.

— Dec. 10: Blagojevich turns 52.

— Dec. 15: Illinois House creates committee to consider impeachment.

— Dec. 19: Blagojevich makes first comment on arrest, vowing to fight charges

— Dec. 30: Blagojevich appoints Roland Burris to U.S. Senate

— Jan. 9: House votes 114-1 to impeach Blagojevich, a first in Illinois history.

— Jan. 23: Blagojevich blasts upcoming Senate trial as unfair, says he won’t participate. Defense attorney quits criminal case, suggesting Blagojevich wouldn’t listen to him.

— Jan. 26: Illinois Senate opens impeachment trial; Blagojevich goes on a media blitz in New York to proclaim innocence.

— Jan. 29: Senate votes unanimously to remove Blagojevich from office and bar him from holding office in the future.

— Feb. 11: Musical spoof “Rod Blagojevich Superstar” opens at Second City.

— March 25: Blagojevich hosts a radio talk show, which turns into a weekly show of his own on Chicago’s WLS.

— April 2: Blagojevich formally indicted with five co-defendants.

— June 1: Patti Blagojevich eats a tarantula on “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!”

— June 13: Blagojevich participates in “Rod Blagojevich Superstar.”

— Aug. 7: Blagojevich makes a public appearance, including an Elvis impersonation, at a Chicago party.

— Sept. 8: Blagojevich’s book “The Governor” hits shelves.

— Sept. 12: Blagojevich friend and fundraiser Christopher Kelly commits suicide.

— Oct. 9: Word leaks that Blagojevich will appear on the next edition of “Celebrity Apprentice” with Donald Trump.

— Oct. 20: Friend and former chief of staff Alonzo Monk agrees to testify against Blagojevich.

— Oct. 30: Illinois legislators approve ethics bill that includes cap on campaign donations.

— Oct. 27: A Republican candidate for governor launches a series of campaign videos using Blagojevich’s hair as a symbol of corruption.

— Nov. 20: Ethics committee scolds Sen. Roland Burris for misleading statements about how he came to be appointed by Blagojevich.