Blagojevich says he'll address Illinoisans 'soon'

After dispatching his attorney to keep an eye on Capitol lawmakers plotting his possible impeachment, scandal-plagued Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the day "will soon be here" when he'll tell his side of the story to the people of Illinois.

As he prepared to go for a jog Wednesday morning, an upbeat Blagojevich told reporters outside his home that he's "dying" to talk to Illinoisans. He said he could do so by the end of the day or "maybe no later" than Thursday.

"There's a time and place for everything," he said. "That day will soon be here."

Pressed for more as he climbed the front steps, the governor turned his porch into a stage and channeled his rock 'n' roll idol, Elvis Presley.

"Hang loose, to quote Elvis," he said. "Hang loose."

Blagojevich's attorney, Ed Genson, is in Springfield to attend hearings being held by a legislative committee that will decide whether to file impeachment charges against the governor.

Blagojevich expressed confidence in Genson, whose clients have included newspaper baron Conrad Black and R&B singer R. Kelly.

"He's got a job to do. He knows what he's doing. We're in good hands," Blagojevich said of Genson.

The governor asked reporters not to follow him on his morning jog, lamenting that he hasn't been able to run in his neighborhood since his Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges.

When one reporter said he needn't worry because the press corps wouldn't be able to keep up with him, Blagojevich boasted: "It's a pretty good pace. As governors go, it's a pretty good pace."

He said he runs 6.5 to 8 miles at a pace of 8.5 minutes per mile.

"We're going to have plenty of time to talk about this," Blagojevich told reporters. "We're going to have a lot of time together."