Together, Blagojevich’s Homes Worth Nearly $1.5 Million

What a political year this has been. Two politicians — governors, to be exact — were thrust onto the national scene under different circumstances. First, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin became an overnight sensation for the Republican party when she was announced as Senator John McCain’s presidential running mate (here’s our blog post on Sarah Palin’s home in Wasilla) and now, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (pronounced “Bluh-GOY-uh-vich” — or, CNN’s David Gergen just calls him “the idiot”) is making headlines of his own with a Chicago-style scandal: he was trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat.

In an article in today’s Wall Street Journal, it was alleged that Blagojevich has been strapped for cash and left all kinds of legal bills unpaid. The article cites two homes he owns: one at 2934 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 (photo above; Zestimate: $939,000) and a condo at 1736 18th St NW, APT 303, Washington  DC 20009 (photo below; Zestimate: $547,500). Even though Blagojevich insists on going to work — scandal be damned — it looks like he might be spending lots more time at home since the Illinois Attorney General filed a motion for the state Supreme Court to remove him temporarily from office.

Across town in Chicago, Obama’s home was the subject of great scrutiny due to his relationship with Tony Rezko, a developer convicted of fraud. Wow — all eyes have been on Chicago this year.  Even though newspapers are soon facing the same tragedy as automakers,  methinks two Chicago newspapers (Tribune and Sun-Times) won’t have a shortage of headlines, or readers, as this political year continues to evolve.