Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was born Dec. 10, 1956, on the Northwest side of Chicago. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1979 and earned his law degree from Pepperdine School of Law in 1983.

Before he served in an elected office, Blagojevich was a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney. During his tenure, he prosecuted domestic abuse cases and felony weapons charges, which made him a strong advocate for tougher sentencing laws when he was elected to the General Assembly in 1992.

In 1996, he was elected to represent Illinois' 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. While a congressman, he secured funding for after-school tutoring programs and distinguished himself as an advocate for education. He was also a leader in the fight to establish a Patients' Bill of Rights, to assure prompt access to mammograms, and to require higher safety and care standards at nursing homes.

Blagojevich won the race to become Illinois' governor in 2002, and he began his second term in January 2007. He and his wife, Patti, have two daughters, 10-year-old Amy and 4-year-old Annie.

Source: Illinois.gov