Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is in court today for the first day of his political corruption trial.

Blagojevich faces a handful of charges including perhaps the most salacious one — the charge that he allegedly tried to sell President Obama’s old Senate seat. If Blagojevich is convicted, he could be the fourth Illinois governor to head to federal prison in the past 40 years.

Politicians from Blagojevich’s former jurisdiction, as well as Washingtonians, are ready for a potentially wild ride which could result in political fallout. Pair that with a no nonsense judge? And you’ve got a political trial that could be more soap opera than legal proceeding.

Politico.com reporter Jonathan Allen and Chicago Public Radio’s Criminal Justice Reporter Rob Wildeboer discuss the local and national implications of this monumental trial.