Gov's goodie list

Wine from Schwarzenegger, a jersey from Reinsdorf -- even 2 samurai swords

When you're governor, people give you all sorts of things. An Al Franken book. An Abe Lincoln Christmas ornament. A sterling silver spoon.

And that's just from givers who've been convicted of federal crimes or are under federal indictment.

Blagojevich has been given hundreds of gifts since taking office in 2003 -- from politicians, lobbyists, self-published authors, unknown musicians, foreign dignitaries and since-convicted felons.

His office's gift log stretches 56 pages, detailing $16,475 worth of goodies -- most of which accumulate in his downtown Chicago office at the Thompson Center.

"A lot of the stuff just winds up here," says Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero. "I don't think he keeps much of anything."

Blagojevich's gift book is a gubernatorial tradition started by GOP Gov. James Thompson.

In Blagojevich's case, the book doesn't appear to include everything -- omitting gifts of $500 or more that separate state ethics forms show he's gotten. The law does not require Blagojevich to disclose the exact nature and total amounts of those gifts, though Guerrero says many are meals the governor and friends buy for each other.

People who have given the governor gifts that don't show up in the the logbook include lobbyists and former aides John Wyma and Lon Monk; his estranged father-in-law, Ald. Richard Mell (33rd); and former campaign fund-raiser Chris Kelly, who is under federal indictment on gambling-related tax charges.

Recently convicted fund-raiser Tony Rezko gave Blagojevich at least $1,500 in gifts over three years, according to Blagojevich's ethics forms. The gift book only shows two smaller-priced items from Rezko: a $100 package including plates and a sterling silver spoon when the governor's second daughter was born in 2003 and a $75 cheese basket and bottle of wine two years later.

Another Blagojevich-supporter-turned-felon who shows up on the gift list: Joseph Cari, who has pleaded guilty in one of Rezko's schemes. In 2003, Cari gave Blagojevich a copy of Lies (And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them,) written by comedian and U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken.

Blagojevich also reported getting a $39 Abe Lincoln Christmas ornament in 2004 from William Cellini, who was indicted last month on charges he took part in a fund-raising scheme designed to benefit the governor. In 2003, the governor also got a $50 framed print from someone identified in the log only as "Cellini."

A sampling of gifts Gov. Blagojevich has received, sorted by type of giver or type of gift * Joseph Cari -- Al Franken book, Lies (And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them), $24.95 (2003)

* Tony and Rita Rezko -- "plates, sterling silver spoon, blanket, photo album and picture frames," $100 (2003)

* Bill Cellini -- Abraham Lincoln Christmas ornament, $39 (2004)

* Julie Cellini -- "Harry and David fruit of the month for 8 months," $189.95 (2005)

* Tony Rezko and family -- cheese basket and wine, $75 (2005)

* Joe & Ann Scheidler, The Pro-Life Action League Staff -- roses and "It's a girl" balloon, $75 (2003)

* Vince and Diane DiBenedetto -- "David Yurman bracelet for Annie," $100, (2003)

* Al and Kathy Salvi -- baby clothes, $20 (2003)

* Jerry Reinsdorf -- White Sox jersey, $200, 2005

* Bernie Kosar Jr. -- 2 Dallas Cowboys jerseys, 1 Cleveland Browns football, no value given (2005)

* Bob Holden, Missouri -- Stetson hat, $120 (2003)

* Arnold Schwarzenegger, California -- "humidor filled w/bottle of wine, 2 wine glasses & silver plate wine stopper," $90 (2007)

* John E. Baldacci, Maine -- "small box of Maine potatoes," $10 (2007)

* Eliot Spitzer, New York -- jar of fish fry chow-chow, $8 (2007)

* Ald. Edward M. Burke -- books, The Devil in the White City, Chicago Sketches and Inside the Wigwam, $62.85 (2003)

* State Sen. Mattie Hunter -- "Blue Suede Shoes" salt-and-pepper shakers, $10 (2007)

* Sen. James DeLeo and family -- "big box of candy," $60 (2005)

* Comptroller Dan Hynes -- book, Illinois 24/7, $24.95 (2004)

* State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) -- "Serbian sausage and vegetable spread," $9.50 (2005)

* State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias -- Eli's Cheesecake, $28 (2007)

* Judy Baar Topinka, former state treasurer/ 2006 GOP gubernatorial candidate -- candy and cookie basket, $50 (2003)

* Emir of Qatar -- sculpture, silver ram (or goat; no one's sure) mounted on base, unknown value (2005)

* Tai Kwon Do, Melrose Park -- 2 samurai swords (given to the governor's office, not the governor personally), $335 (2005)

* Zinda Mahmood Bajwa -- book, Jihad Against A Ruler, $10 (2005)

* Tom Royce, Bats By Buck -- maple bat with governor's name, $75 (2006)

* Milan Petrovic -- book, From Father to Son, $24.99 (2003)

•    * Ben Barnes and family -- iPod Shuffle, $99.99 (2006)

* Don Moss -- Elvis Presley 50th anniversary book with CDs ("purchased at a garage sale"), $15 (2007)

* Sharon Fox -- handmade Elvis book and photograph, $10 (2004)

* State Rep. Thomas Holbrook -- CD, "Larry Ramer sings Elvis," $10 (2006)

* Jarek Spychalski -- tape, "Polish Elvis sings Elvis," $10 (2006)

* Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens -- "Elvis box w/Pez candy," $32 (2007)