SPRINGFIELD - An indictment of a top advisor to Gov. Rod Blagojevich was vindication for Republicans and an embarrassment to Democrats, according to an informal poll of state lawmakers from each corner of the state.

A major fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Antoin "Tony" Rezko, 51, was charged in indictments unsealed Wednesday with trying to collect millions of dollars in kickbacks from companies seeking state business in what a federal prosecutor called "a pay to play scheme on steroids."

In one case, Rezko, of suburban Wilmette, tried to squeeze a company for a $1.5 million contribution "to a certain public official," according to the indictment.

Prosecutors declined to name the official or say whether Blagojevich or anyone in his administration might be a target in the ongoing investigation of corruption in state politics.

Rezko also was charged with swindling General Electric Capital Corp. out of $10.5 million in loans to a pizza restaurant business and bilking a group of investors.

Rezko attorney Joseph J. Duffy issued a statement saying his client was innocent and would be "vindicated at trial."

With just four weeks to go before voters head to the polls, there was wide disagreement over whether the federal kickback charges levied against Rezko would cut into Blagojevich's lead over Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka.

"This gets pretty close to the governor, if not right in his lap," said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, a Republican from Greenville.

"I'm backing the governor," responded Democratic state Rep. Brandon Phelps of Norris City. "He's done a lot of things for my area. He's not the one being indicted."

The dueling theories emerged as lawmakers knock on doors in the run-up to the Nov. 7 election trying to drum up votes for themselves against the backdrop of a widening scandal unfolding in Chicago.

State Rep. John Bradley's initial reaction was two words: "Holy moly."

The Marion Democrat, however, was unsure what the public reaction would be to the indictment of a Syrian-born Chicago businessman who is credited with helping Blagojevich build the largest campaign war chest in Illinois history.

"I think it's a black eye for the system," Bradley said.

State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, agreed. "It makes our state a national laughingstock."

Flider, who is in the middle of a tough re-election battle against Decatur Republican Dick Cain, said he would not tell voters to abandon Blagojevich on Election Day.

"I just tell people you need to make your own judgment," Flider said.

Like others, state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, condemned the alleged kickback scheme.

"If there is corruption involved and someone is taking money to do something, they ought to go to jail. There is no place in government for that," Jacobs said.

But, Jacobs also raised questions about whether federal prosecutors unveiled the indictment just four weeks before the election in an attempt to influence the outcome of the gubernatorial race.

"The timing is a little suspect to me," Jacobs said.

Republican state Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare, doesn't think politics is a motivation behind the indictment, noting that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald also brought down former Gov. George Ryan, a Republican.

"He (Fitzgerald) appears to be very methodical," Burzynski said. "He appears to be very non-partisan in what he does and who he is looking at."

However, Burzynski said it is too early to tell if voters will be swayed by the latest scandal.

"I don't know that it resonates yet," Burzynski said. "I think as all of these compound and people see more and more in the media they will start to pay attention."

Watson, who is trying to win a majority in the Senate, said voters will connect the scandal with Blagojevich.

"They will get this," Watson said. "The governor came in on a white horse and wearing a white hat and said everything was going to be clean. Now there are real questions about that."

"It's been a lot smoke up to this point and I guess there is some fire there," Watson said. "This is one of the governor's closest confidants.

Other GOP lawmakers agreed.

"I'm sure it hurts the governor," said state Rep. Mike Bost, a Murphysboro Republican.

"It's definitely a scud missile," added state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. "It's something that Judy Baar Topinka has been talking about for some time. It certainly will cause people to look deeper at Rod Blagojevich."

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said the indictment casts a shadow over Blagojevich. "This hits close to him," Mitchell said.

State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, predicted that Blagojevich would make few public appearances between now and Election Day as he tries to distance himself from questions about his relationship with Rezko.

"This is really a bombshell," said Eddy. "The governor has claimed to be a crusader for reform, but Rezko is his guy. You can't really spin this."

- The Associated Press contributed to this story.