For years, Rod Blagojevich has projected two images that define his tenure as Illinois' governor.

Now, under the lights of a federal investigation, the distinctions are blurring, and the crony image is threatening to wash out the populist one.

For the first time, federal prosecutors have put the Illinois governor inside their widespread investigation of corruption in his administration. Blagojevich told one convicted federal informant, "You stick with us and you will do very well for yourself," according to a court document prosecutors filed.

The Governor's Office denied that he is "Public Official A," described in the document as offering state business to convicted political insiders.

While he has tried to put the blame on lawmakers, his credibility in Springfield already was damaged from a legislative stalemate that has left key aspects of the people's business unresolved: The Chicago Transit Authority is in near meltdown; education reform is in limbo, and the state's deteriorating roads and bridges aren't being repaired for lack of a way to pay for it.