Blago broke?
$$$$ Hmmm. Will the case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich wind up costing the taxpayers on both ends?
• • Question: If Blago is basically broke -- will a federal defender have to be appointed, which is publicly funded?
• • Question: Does the government want to fork over that much money for a lengthy federal trial of the Blago magnitude?
• • Question: If Blago's only access to cash for his defense is his $2 million campaign fund, which was frozen by the feds, will the feds reverse their decision and let Blago use the funds to pay for the trial?
• • Question: Or will lawyers capable of handling a trial of this magnitude sign on for the publicity?
Stay tuned.
Location Location: Is it an accident Marcus Jordan, son of His Airness Michael Jordan, decided to play basketball at the University of Central Florida in Orlando -- because his dad is living in Florida and building a palatial estate two hours away? Betcha.
• • $$$$$$: Meghan McCain, the blogger daughter of former GOP presidential hopeful John McCain, has signed a six-figure book deal, according to a report in the Big Apple press.
• • $$$$$: Former GOP veep contender Tim Pawlenty is sending out feelers to top Illinois GOPers about a potential 2012 presidential candidacy. Ask state Rep. Jim Durkin, who handled McCain's Illinois campaign.
Tipsville: Sneed hears rumbles a federal grand jury is questioning former cops who worked for former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge, the alleged ringleader of a Chicago Police torture ring.
• • The buckshot: Late last year, when Burge was indicted on obstruction of justice and perjury charges, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald warned that cops who may have kept silent during Burge's alleged reign of terror might wind up being hit with similar charges.
President Obama was not the only Chicagoan Brit Prime Minister Gordon Brown greeted during the last two weeks.
• • To wit: Brown, who presented Rev. Jesse Jackson with the Global Diversity Award, told Jackson he first heard him speak at the 1984 Dem Convention in San Francisco . . . and remembered the theme: Keep hope alive.
The NBC romantic comedy pilot "State of Romance," which has been described as a modern day version of "Pride & Prejudice," just finished shooting in Chicago on Wednesday. The cast includes Hollywood newcomers Lindsay Broad, Steve Howey, Grace Rex, Stephen Rannazzisi and Zoe Lister-Jones.
Gulp! Joel Brodsky, the attorney for former Bolingbrook cop Drew Peterson, whose fourth wife, Stacy, is still missing, and attorney Sam Adam Jr., who has worked on Blago's defense, were spotted dining together at Gibsons this week.
Restaurateur Phil Stefani, who has formed a Relief Fund for Earthquake victims in Italy, not only headed to Italy this week -- but is earmarking the funds from Stefani's annual Children's Foundation Golf Outing on June 8 at Harborside International for the earthquake victims.
Attention! Misericordia, a home for the developmentally disabled at 6300 N. Ridge Ave., is reaching out for volunteers in preparation for its April 24-25 Candy Days. Visit Misericordia.org for more information. . . . Today's birthdays: Omar Sharif, 77; John Madden, 73; Don Meredith, 71; Steven Seagal, 57; Haley Joel Osment, 21, and Mandy Moore, 25 ... Saturday's birthdays: Joel Grey, 77; Peter Riegert, 62, and Jim Parenti, 44.