CHICAGO (AP) – On his last full day of freedom, Rod Blagojevich will do what he loved doing as governor and while defending himself unsuccessfully against corruption charges. He’ll step up to a microphone and talk.

Blagojevich is scheduled to deliver a last statement outside his home in Chicago on Wednesday. The 55-year-old Democrat is due to report to a prison in Englewood on Thursday to begin serving a 14-year sentence.

He’s announced that he’ll make a statement starting precisely at 5:02 p.m., which enables prime time news to lead with his remarks.
Attorneys for the ousted Illinois governor say he wants to depart in a dignified way, without a media frenzy.

That fueled speculation he’d try to slip out of Chicago undetected, but his spokesman says Blagojevich never entertained that idea.

More From CBSChicago.com: Inside Blago’s New Home: (FCI) Englewood | Patti Blagojevich Proclaims Husband’s Innocence In Interview

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