by John Dempsey, WLS-AM News

One of the top Republicans in Illinois is criticizing President Donald Trump, after the President said last week he might let imprisoned ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich out of prison early.

State House Minority Leader Jim Durkin told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” on WLS that Blagojevich was “the most corrupt Governor in the State of Illinois”, and said if the President commutes Blagojevich’s 14 year prison sentence, it would be a “terrible mistake”.

“For the President to go down this path and if he actually does commute that sentence, it undermines the integrity of our criminal justice system, particularly the ongoing problems of political corruption in the State of Illinois”, said Durkin. “It doesn’t serve anyone well other than Rod Blagojevich, and I think it’s a terrible mistake if he does that”

Blagojevich was convicted of a wide-ranging corruption scheme, including plotting to sell the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by then President-elect Barack Obama, and shaking down the head of a children’s hospital for a political contribution.

He has served six years of a 14 year sentence.

On Tuesday Blagojevich formally filed paperwork asking Trump to commute his term.