If you had the chance to ask Gov. Rod Blagojevich a question, what would it be?

That was one of the questions we asked more than two dozen potential interns last week, as they lined up for interviews in the various news bureaus that have offices in the Statehouse pressroom.

The intern candidates are studying at the University of Illinois-Springfield to get their master's degrees. As part of that, they spend six months working as reporters covering state government and politics.

During the interviews, we explained they might get an exciting and exclusive chance to have a one-on-one conversation with Blagojevich during their time in the Capitol trenches.

We noted, however, that the conversation is most likely to take place in the basement of the Capitol, which Blagojevich uses to enter and exit the building during those rare times when he actually comes to work in his Statehouse office.

In other words, we said, if you're going to talk with the guy, you might have to stand for hours in a dank utility tunnel with pipes and electrical conduit overhead in order to squeeze one quote or two out of the guy before he jumps in his black SUV for a ride to the airport.

So, without naming names, here are a few of their answers:

"I'd ask him why the state doesn't pay its bills on time."

"I'd ask him why he wants to close Pontiac prison when there is so much evidence pointing to the fact that it's a bad idea."

"The governor needs to explain better why he is closing state parks. The savings isn't that significant that it couldn't come from some other part of state government."

"I'd ask him who he's considering to replace Barack Obama in the Senate and whether he's going to run for re-election in 2010."

"I'd ask him why he spent money to travel to California for an environmental conference when the state budget is in such bad shape."

All in all, the intern candidates offered up a good selection of topical questions for the governor.

None of them, however, thought to ask the governor why he uses the basement utility tunnel to sneak in and out of the building.

They'll learn.

The Ryan file

Illinois' senior senator raised more than a few eyebrows last week when he said he's considering asking President Bush to commute the prison sentence of former Gov. George Ryan.

Dick Durbin's rationale centers on the fact that Ryan and his wife, Lura Lynn, are old and have paid a heavy price after his racketeering conviction. For example, Ryan lost his taxpayer-funded pension because of his criminal deeds. Lura Lynn is said to be "frail."

For Durbin, the political blowback for merely even considering the idea is unlikely to affect him. He was just re-elected to a six-year term. A lot of water will flow under the bridge between now and the time voters might want to take out their frustrations with him over this idea.

Ultimately, however, any decision on Ryan will rest with George Bush. And, there is ample evidence that Bush will find little reason to offer a helping hand to his fellow Republican.

During his tenure as governor, Ryan didn't always walk the Republican walk. For example, Ryan led a delegation to Cuba. He also raised taxes and cleared out Illinois' death row.

Ryan also didn't do Bush many favors when the Texan was running for president in 2000. During a campaign stop in Springfield, he was asked if the ongoing licenses-for-bribes scandal would damage his chances in Illinois.

Bush brushed aside that suggestion, pointing to the older, white-haired chief executive next to him who also was fielding questions at a local middle school.

"He's standing right here," Bush said, hoping the stink from the federal investigation of the time wouldn't somehow stick to him.

For what its worth, Durbin isn't alone in suggesting it might be time for Ryan to be set free. Blagojevich, whose own administration is being dogged by federal investigators, suggested the same thing to reporters during an event on Thanksgiving.

Inaugural plans

If you are planning to attend the inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, please let me know.

In addition to hearing about your plans for the event, I'd like to hear about some of the challenges you faced or are facing with lodging, tickets or transportation.

KURT ERICKSON heads the Lee Enterprises Springfield Bureau, which serves The Southern and other Lee newspapers; he can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.