Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Dec., 9, 2008; 9:30 AM

No, that's NOT just a sorta-unfunny "Onion" headline about the mess of beyond-Obama Illinois politics...

At approximately 6:15 AM this morning, beleaguered Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by federal authorities on bribery and wire and mail fraud charges for allegedly attempting to "sell" the US Senate seat vacated by President-Elect Barack Obama. He was arrested by the FBI at his Chicago home; his Chief of Staff John Harris was also arrested.

Hot on the heels of the news last week that at least one of Blago's cohorts had been taping conversations with the Governor, the FBI alleges that he had been recorded conspiring to sell -- or trade for personal gain, via cash, jobs, appointments, or favors (including some also aimed at his wife, Patti) -- the now-open US Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Initial reports indicate that perhaps at least Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s and former state Sen. Emil Jones' camps had been approached with "fundraising" (nudge, nudge) guidelines and the desire for potential ambassadorships or corporate board positions for the Guv or his wife. There was also some speculation about Blago pressuring the Chicago Tribune -- regarding its reporting and opinions against him -- over the impending sales of the Trib-owned Cubs.

All of this hits, ironically, less than a day after the Governor said that -- despite the shadowed charges against him and the gathering clouds that seem to be constantly above him -- there was "nothing but sunshine" over his well-coiffed head.

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is scheduled to speak about the arrest and the charges at approximately 11:00 AM, Chicago time. We'll have more on this stunning, fast-moving story as more details become available.

For more coverage of Illinois politics, look for my regular posts here on The Stonecipher Report. (And, for a free subscription to my twice-weekly e-mail column on politics and pop-culture, "And, in the News…" send a note to: m_l_sweeney@hotmail.com)