Convicted Felon’s Wilmette Mansion Hits Market

A sprawling, 30-room mansion in Wilmette just hit the market. Asking price: 3.58 million. Former owner: Convicted felon Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

The political fundraiser was found guilty in 2008 of multiple public corruption charges. Bank of America foreclosed on the three-story Wilmette estate last year after Rezko failed to make payments on the more than $5 million mortgage. The bank was the lone bidder for the home in August, paying $2,835,814, the minimum price set prior to the auction.

The 8,596-square-foot mansion is situated on an acre of land at 1250 Chestnut Avenue and has seven bedrooms, nine baths, three half baths and five fireplaces. Built in 1930, the home, which won a Historic Preservation Award, also boasts a theatre and an attached, two-bedroom coach house.

Rezko bought the estate in 1999 through a bank loan for $1.9 million, according to public records. He held a Senate fundraiser there for President Barack Obama in 2003.

Rezko’s connections with impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich were at the root of the federal corruption case against him. He is currently in federal custody awaiting sentencing on charges including fraud, money laundering and bribery.

The vacant mansion is in need of cosmetic repairs and being sold as-is.