Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich trial, day nine and an assessment of how day eight went, plus today's witness from Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Natasha Korecki, in the courtroom.

For compelling updates during the trial day by the Sun-Times team go to blogs.suntimes.com/blago

The Sun-Times trial round-up for Tuesday is here.

The Blagojevich trial involves two men with national political reputations: Democrat Joe Cari, who is scheduled to testify on Wednesday and Republican Robert Kjellander, a lobbyist who is a figure in one of the pay-to-play schemes jurors are hearing about.

Cari is a former Democratic National Committee Finance Chairman.
Kjellander is a former Republican National Committee Treasurer.