President-elect Obama's win voted top story in Illinois

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CHICAGO (AP) - Barack Obama's history-making election as president of the United States was chosen the top Illinois story of 2008 by The Associated Press. Obama, who launched his campaign for the White House after two years as an Illinois senator, takes office Jan. 20. The No. 2 story was the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich on charges that he allegedly tried to sell Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder. Here are 2008's top 10 stories:

1. OBAMA'S WIN Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is elected the nation's first black president after enduring a grueling primary against New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and a contentious general-election campaign against Arizona Sen. John McCain. At an election-night rally in Chicago's Grant Park, Obama incorporates key campaign themes of hope and change, vowing to be a president for all America and asking for patience to address two wars and the nation's faltering economy. “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” he tells the crowd of more than 100,000 gathered on the unseasonably warm November evening.

2. ILLINOIS GOVERNOR SCANDAL Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is arrested at his Chicago home Dec. 9 on federal charges that he tried to sell Obama's vacant Senate for money or favors. A 76-page affidavit also alleges Blagojevich tried to force the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers who criticized him in exchange for helping the company sell Wrigley Field. Blagojevich - who for three years has been under investigation for alleged hiring fraud and accusations of trading jobs and appointments for campaign donations - has denied any wrongdoing and has said he won't resign. Impeachment hearings have begun in Springfield.

3. NIU CAMPUS SHOOTINGS Former Northern Illinois University student Steven Kazmierczak opens fire in a campus lecture hall on Feb. 14, fatally wounding five students before turning the gun on himself. More than a dozen are injured in the shooting. A committee at the DeKalb campus creates a plan for a permanent memorial.

4. ECONOMIC MELTDOWN The nationwide economic downturn ripples throughout Illinois with soaring unemployment, high gas prices, home foreclosures and municipal budget cuts. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley outlines plans to lay off hundreds of city workers and eliminate nearly 1,350 vacant jobs to help cover a $469 million city budget shortfall.

5. HUDSON DEATHS The mother and brother of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson are fatally shot in their Chicago home on Oct. 24, and Hudson's and 7-year-old nephew is found shot to death in an SUV three days later. Hudson's estranged brother-in-law William Balfour has been charged in the killings; he has pleaded not guilty. Hudson, a 2004 “American Idol” finalist, was raised on the city's South Side.

6. FUNDRAISER TRIAL Political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko is convicted of federal fraud, money laundering and bribery charges. Rezko was accused of squeezing kickbacks out of companies that wanted to do business with the state. Rezko, who's awaiting sentencing, raised money for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaigns and for Obama's state races but not his presidential campaign. Obama has not been accused of wrongdoing.

7. CHICAGO OLYMPIC BID Chicago is selected in June as a finalist in the bidding to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, along with Tokyo; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Madrid, Spain. Chicago 2016, the city's bid committee, works to raise the city's international profile. Television talk show host Oprah Winfrey airs a celebration show with Olympic athletes in Chicago's Millennium Park. Those attending include swimmer Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in the summer, Dara Torres and Kobe Bryant. The IOC will pick a host city next year.

8. OBAMA DISTRACTIONS Barack Obama's longtime former pastor and mentor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, becomes the center of a political firestorm after short clips of fiery sermons gain widespread Internet and television play. Obama, who attended Trinity for years, denounces his connections to the church and Wright, who officiated the Obamas' wedding. Wright retires from Trinity over the summer.

9. STATEWIDE FLOODING Illinois is hit hard by flooding several times. In January, heavy rainfall and melting snow send the Vermilion River over its banks in Livingston and Iroquois counties. Hundreds of east-central Illinois homes are evacuated. By summer, Illinois communities along the Mississippi River work to fortify levees as severe storms send the river surging to near-record levels. A levee in the western Illinois town of Gulfport breaks, causing authorities to rescue people by helicopter, boat and four-wheeler. Months later, the remnants of Hurricane Ike slam northern Illinois, causing flooding.

10. EIGHT SLAIN Police launch a statewide manhunt in late June for Nicholas Sheley of Sterling, Ill., who eventually is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing eight people in Illinois and Missouri. Sheley is arrested outside a Granite City bar July 1. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is awaiting trial.

10. LANE BRYANT SHOOTINGS Five women are fatally shot at a suburban Chicago Lane Bryant clothing store in February. Authorities, who believe there was a single shooter, say the motive at the Tinley Park strip mall appeared to be robbery.