Where does Rod Blagojevich live now? Former Illinois governor speaks after Donald Trump pardon

After Rod Blagojevich was arrested in 2008 and convicted of attempting to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat, his home on Sunnyside Avenue became a prime media target. Rod Blagojevich lives in Ravenswood Manor, a neighborhood on Chicago's North Side.

After serving nearly eight years out of a possible fourteen-year sentence, he was freed in 2020 when Donald Trump commuted his sentence. He is in the news again since Donald Trump granted him a 'full & unconditional pardon' on February 11.

Since his release in 2020, he has re-emerged in public life, recently making headlines for performing with a cover band at local street festivals, including Elmwood Park’s Taste of Elmwood Park festival.

Rod Blagojevich's home, the Ravenswood Manor features a spacious brick structure in Chicago's Ravenswood Manor that combines classic bungalow architecture with Mediterranean Revival detailing. Encompassing 3,817 square feet, the five-bedroom house was originally constructed by a developer who went on to put up high-rises along Lake Shore Drive; it was added to the market in 1929.

In the wake of Rod Blagojevich's conviction on multiple counts of federal corruption charges, his family had planned to sell their Ravenswood Manor home due to financial necessity, as said by his attorney, who joked at an Atlanta court that any prospective buyers should apply.

Blagojevich's wife, Patti, a licensed real estate agent, listed the house a few months later, initially asking $1.07 million. In December, according to the Chicago Tribune, it had dropped to $998,000, but the sale never went through. Records indicate the family paid $505,000 for it in 1999, reports Curbed Chicago.

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What has Rod Blagojevich been up to after prison?

According to his Facebook page, Rod Blagojevich has maintained an active public life since his release from prison in 2020, participating in media appearances and entertainment endeavors.

He has been featured on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he expressed gratitude for the platform and discussed issues related to free speech.

He has continued to be outspoken on political and legal matters, often sharing his views through social media and interviews.

But most of all, Rob Blagojevich has embraced a newfound passion for performing, regularly singing at local festivals with cover bands like The Drawers.

He has performed at events such as Taste of Elmwood Park and Double Clutch Brewing in Evanston, where he covered Elvis Presley songs, including "Jailhouse Rock" and "Don’t Be Cruel."

He has hinted at working on a new book, though he admits to procrastinating on writing. In a post on Facebook, Rod Blagojevich wrote:

"While writing my book, I remembered the day I got a visit from the prison shrink checking on me. This was the day Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell reportedly after committing suicide. The Warden was concerned that I might be contemplating doing the same thing. I was considered a high profile inmate & I imagine wardens throughout the BOP were on high alert."

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Despite his post-prison activities, he remains a controversial figure in Illinois politics, often making headlines with his public statements.