U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., won't face a perjury charge over statements he made to state lawmakers investigating how he got his job, but the junior senator still faces the task of salvaging his political future and shaking the stigma of his link to the disgraced former governor who put him in office. ...more

June 20, 2009

Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties. ...more

March 4, 2009

As Roland Burris, the junior senator from Illinois, took his first turn presiding over the Senate last week, hired staff members to fill his Washington office and announced co-sponsorship of a measure commemorating the role of slaves in building the Capitol, politicians back home were plotting who might replace him. ...more

March 2, 2009

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris kept out of sight Friday as longtime friend Gov. Pat Quinn joined the roster of fellow Democrats calling for his resignation following his disclosure that he tried to raise money for the disgraced governor who appointed him, while the White House urged the senator to take the weekend to consider his future. ...more

February 20, 2009

Test yourself with our weekly political pop quiz. ...more

February 20, 2009

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now acknowledges attempting to raise money for ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, an explosive twist in his ever-changing story on how he landed a coveted Senate appointment from the man accused of trying to sell the seat. ...more

February 18, 2009

In the weeks and months before Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest on charges he tried to sell a U.S. Senate seat, Roland Burris, whom Blagojevich would ultimately appoint to the Senate, had conversations about the seat with the governor's brother, his chief of staff, and one of his top fundraisers, Burris has acknowledged. ...more

February 15, 2009

With Gov. Rod Blagojevich entering what could be his final hours in office, some politicians are watching closely to see whether he attempts some last-minute mischief by spending state money, issuing executive orders or granting pardons. ...more

January 28, 2009

A key panel unanimously recommended Thursday that Gov. Rod Blagojevich be impeached for abusing his power, mismanaging Illinois government and committing possible criminal acts. ...more

January 8, 2009