Roland Burris speaks before a Senate committee to prove he has no connection to the Blagojevich scandal and that he is deserving for the position of Illinois Senator. Courtesy Fox News.

Both Cowan and Scott, however, were appointed. The last black senator before that was also appointed -- Roland Burris. The last elected black senator was Barack Obama. Cowan will also be ...

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After former President Donald Trump pardoned ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is making another push for his own pardon.