We may soon know what happens to infamous reality tv show star and former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

UPDATE: 12:35 p.m. CT

Sam Adam and his son, Sam Adam jr, came to the media cameras for a press conference in the lobby of the federal courthouse.

“I believe in his innocence,” defense attorney Sam Adam said.

“This case will not be a Shirley Sherrod in Chicago.”

12:29 p.m. CT

Blago walks up the the gaggle of media cameras in the federal courthouse, and says tells he wants to express his deep appreciation and gratitude…Many people have come up to us to express their wishes and prayers…having been governor it’s very gratifying to me when people thank me, it’s very meaningful and gives me perspective…to know that when I was governor good things happened, he said.

Now, we need to express appreciation to the juror, Blago said. Patti and I have great confidence and fate. He said he and Patti always have a deep and abiding faith in God.

Robert Blagojevich talked briefly to the media, after a little coaxing… he says he’s anxious but hopeful…that his relationship with his brother Rod is still “strained”

MY NOTES FROM THE COURTROOM:

11:57 a.m. CT

Rod Blagojevich is now standing before judge Zagel, saying he wishes “to wave presence in court” during deliberations and if any question from a juror is read in open court.

The judge is concerned that if the jury has a dispute and sends him a note about it, Blago won’t be around to hear it.  Blago says he doesn’t want to be here.

The judge says he will give a half hour to an hour’s notice when a verdict has been reached, before reading in open court so that nobody who wants to be here will be more than an hour away.

11:53 a.m. CT

Judge Zagel says he has instructed the marshalls to remove jurors #151 #153 #155 #156 and #166 from the jury room.

They will now become alternates.

11:50 a.m. CT

The judge has finished with jury instructions.  They’ve told not to begin deliberating until they receive paperwork listing instructions and charges, as well as the verdict form.  the judge cautioned the jurors to have an open mind, speak their opinions and not “surrender your beliefs to the opinions of other jurors”.

The jury has left the courtroom.

11:31 a.m. CT

Judge Zagel is still reading instructions to the jury. I see a few jurors yawning.

10:52 a.m. CT

Judge Zagel is listing off witnesses and explaining to jurors which witnesses who spoke during trial received benefits from the government in exchange for their testimony.  He says their testimony “must be weighed carefully”.

Zagel is explaining that the wiretapped phone calls played in court are evidence and will be given to the jury for deliberations, but that the transcripts of the recordings are not evidence.

Zagel explains that federal law allows officials to use wiretaps and secret recordings in order to detect criminal activity (so basically saying don’t hold that against them).

Lawyers on both sides have all situated their chairs so they can face the jury.

10:44 a.m. CT

Judge Zagel is listing off the charges.  Blago and wife Patti (sitting in the front row near the defense table) seem to be watching the jury and listening intently.

Robert Blagojevich is watching the judge.

10:38 a.m. CT

Judge James Zagel instructing jurors now telling them to apply the law, perform their duties properly and follow the instructions.

The judge is reading a statement.

10:36 a.m. CT

The jury has just entered the courtroom.  There are 17 of them, including alternates.

10:21 a.m. CT

Jury is still not in room.

Defense attorney Sam Adam, Jr. comes over to the media side of the courtroom to tell us it’s his birthday.  He’s 38 years old today.  He also tells us he’s lost 32 pounds since May 1, because he’s been so busy with this trial and jokes that he was hoping it would go longer so he could lose more weight.

10:13 a.m. CT

The lawyers are before judge Zagel, talking about a book with post-it notes on certain pages.  The defense wanted the book to be part of the record, for the jury, but the judge denied it.

The judge says the alternates of the jury will just be the last five people selected.  Lawyers cannot change that.

Judge says he’s NOT “anticipating a quick verdict”.

“The five jurors who will excused will be taken into my chambers and given standard instructions (don’t talk to the media, don’t read about the case, etc.).”

10:05 a.m. CT

Judge Zagel is in the courtroom.

A woman named Maisha Hamilton is before the judge, because she filed a “motion to intervene” and a “demand for federal protection of her rights”.

Judge tells woman she cannot say anything in court that affects this case. The woman keeps trying to talk but the judge keeps cutting her off.  She sat back down.

I don’t yet know her connection to this case or what she was trying to accomplish.

9:38 a.m. CT

The jury is not yet in the courtroom, but Blago, his wife and lawyers are here.  The Blago children are not in court.  Rod Blagojevich seems very upbeat.  He’s talking and laughing with family and supporters.  Patti gave a big bear hug to one of the defense attorneys.

Surprisingly, Rod is now talking with his brother Robert — the first time I’ve seen them talk to each other since the trial began.  They’re both smiling.

Prosecutors are more subdued, as they’ve been throughout the trial.

8:59 a.m. CT

The jury for Blago’s corruption trial is receiving instructions from judge James Zagel this morning.  The one-time Celebrity Apprentice star is facing 24 counts, including bribery, racketeering and lying to the FBI.

Rod’s brother, Robert, is also awaiting a verdict.  As he walked into the courtroom I asked what he thought of his prospects.  He gave me a thumbs up and said “I’m optimistic”.  I asked if he thought the jury could separate him from his brother in terms of charges, and he said “that’s their job”.

Despite the fact that people keep asking how long the jury will take, the best answer I’ve heard is “they’ll take as long as they take”.