Governor's wife lands a sweet deal

Crain's Chicago Business reports on that place called Illinois:

For at least the third time, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's wife, Patti, has turned up as the real estate agent for a contributor to her husband's campaign.

Ms. Blagojevich's real estate firm is brokering the sale of a Devon Avenue retail-apartment building — asking price, $4.3 million — controlled by a family that has contributed $30,000 to her husband's campaign fund since 2005.

Political contributors have proven to be a fertile — and controversial — source of business for Ms. Blagojevich's North Side firm, River Realty Inc. Other clients have included businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who was charged last year in an alleged fraud involving state pension money, and south suburban banker Amrish Mahajan and his wife, Anita, the owner of a defunct drug-testing company. Last month, Ms. Mahajan was charged with fraudulently billing the state more than $2 million for drug screenings that were not performed. Both Mr. Rezko and Ms. Mahajan have denied the charges.

Democrats sure know how to make money with real estate.