Politics

CHICAGO (CBS) ― No matter where you go, from the city to the suburbs, Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest is the talk of the town. The reaction ranges from sympathy for his family to embarrassment for the state.

"He's never been for the state. It's always been about him and his ego. It's an embarrassment. Thank God for Obama. We have a lot to be proud of. Our Governor is not one of the reasons we should be proud," one Chicago woman said.

"I find him trying to sell the senate seat the most offensive. I think it reflects poorly on the state of Illinois and our leader would do something so corrupt," said a Chicagoan.

From the North Side to the South Side and every neighborhood in between, the news of Governor Blagojevich's arrest was everywhere.

Stations like CBS 2 broke into programming to carry a news conference detailing the arrest. Viewers were able to see it on CBS 2 or watch it live online in their homes or offices. If you couldn't see it, you heard it on radio stations like WVON.

One caller on WVON said, "I feel embarrassed. I really feel embarrassed that here we are two governors in jail for corruption in the state of Illinois."

Another caller said, "It is one of the most egregious cases of corruption from a governor that I've heard in probably the past two decades."

And what may anger locals most is that after the worldwide glow of the born-in-Illinois Obama presidential campaign, the Blagojevich mess may have the world looking our way again in dismay.

"Chicago was kind of coming back to the forefront and now with this we are kind of being knocked back to the second city of corruption so I am angry and a little outraged," Northwest Side resident Tranette Williams said.

Some of the biggest buzz about this story is taking place in Blagojevich's neighborhood. 

On Tuesday, Blagojevich's corner bungalow was attracting attention because of the horde of news trucks, TV photographers, and reporters. They were at his home covering the story of his arrest and most of Blagojevich's neighbors expressed little surprise.

"Sadly the state of Illinois has a really bad history and with its governors. This is a sad day for Illinois. We shouldn't be proud of this. We should not be proud of who we elected," said neighbor Noreen McGowen.

"It's a sad day for Illinois that he ran on a platform of cleaning up the state and that these are the allegations against him. I think the facts will speak for themselves. I hope they're not true," said Sarah Putrim.

If the allegations are true, patrons of the popular Lutz Bakery are worried about the state's reputation around the country.

"It's terrible, especially in the wake of President-elect Obama's victory and just clean reputation. It's a stain on all politicians," said Morry Block.

"It's really unbelievable. And I thought he was saying you know wiretapping, go ahead. You know, I don't care. His arrogance is unbelievable. And I'm sure he'll get what's coming to him," neighbor Stacy Thomas said.

"I think maybe naively, we think that people just wouldn't do that kind of thing, you know, with their power," another neighbor, Eileen Schnepff, said. "I don't think I was surprised that he'd been taken in, but I thought it would be something around Rezko. I didn't think it would be something around the senate. It's surprising if the allegations are true."

At the CTA train station a few blocks away some commuters wanted to give the governor the benefit of the doubt.

"I think it's sad because I like him. He's a good fellow, but unfortunately things happen," one passenger said.

From a personal point of view, the people of Ravenswood Manor described Gov. Blagojevich as a good neighbor and they expressed concern for his family.

CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker, VInce Gerasole and Pamela Jones contributed to this report.

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Governor Blagojevich Arrested

• Special Section: Blagojevich Busted
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• Exposing Blago: Gov's Style An Obstacle