Blagojevich Portrait Contest

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UPDATE: Click to see the winning portrait »

Recently, Illinois lawmakers voted to ban the use of public money to pay for portraits of any impeached governors of the state, an exclusive club that includes only Rod Blagojevich. Unless things change—or someone comes forward to pony up for the painting—the spot between George Ryan and Pat Quinn in the Hall of Governors gallery in the state capitol will remain forever blank.

But that doesn’t mean the image of ex-Governor Blagojevich shouldn’t be enshrined. So we commissioned our readers to create a portrait of the disgraced chief executive, and they answered the call.

Below are submissions to our contest. We will reveal the best portrait (as determined by a panel of judges from our staff) in the July issue of the magazine, along with some runner-ups.

Illustration by John Kenzie