Reporting with Natasha Korecki and Dave McKinney
Rod walked into the federal courthouse today with his wife, Patti, dressed in a black semi-formal dress, and their daughters, Annie, 14, and Amy, 7. It's the first time they've brought their kids to the proceedings.
The ex-governor didn't talk to supporters coming in. He gave a thumbs up and said "thanks man," to one supporter. Rod Blagojevich signed an autograph before walking into the courthouse.
"This is the hottest ticket in town," said Cheryl Schroeder, who is on the defense team for Robert Blagojevich. Schroeder was trying to find family members of another lawyer to get into court. The upstairs courtroom sold out of tickets before 6 a.m. Only 24 public tickets were handed out.
Judges and courthouse personnel had been calling in trying to get reserved seats. Those requests were denied, according to one security officer.
