Former IL Gov. Blagojevich Sentenced to 14 Years

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will serve time in prison.

Judge James Zagel handed down a 14-year prison sentence to the 54-year-old Illinois Democrat Wednesday for trying to sell the U.S. Senate Seat left vacant when Barack Obama assumed the office of President of the United States.

Both federal prosecutors and Zagel agreed that Blagojevich did not garner any personal gain from the deal, and they chose not to fight for the maximum prison sentence.

Blagojevich will have to serve at least 12 years of the 14 year sentence under federal rules that require felons to serve at least 85 percent of their term, according to the Associated Press.

Blagojevich will begin serving the prison sentence in mid-February. It has not yet been determined which prison Blagojevich will go to.

During his time as governor following the 2008 election, Blagojevich attempted to sell the Senate seat for campaign contributions or a high-paying job once out of office.

He will likely work 8 hours a day at a new job once in prison, but the new work will pay 12 cents an hour.