DENVER – Some Illinois state legislators are furious with Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich for airing the state’s dirty laundry yesterday, while other top Democrats from Barack Obama’s home state took the Democratic National Convention stage to tout their former Springfield colleague.

The controversial Blagojevich was left off Monday’s program – and then he picked that day to announce, back in Chicago, that he was rewriting a major campaign ethics bill that the Legislature passed unanimously this year. Key lawmakers have said they’ll fight him on it.

That pending fight overshadowed other convention news in today’s Illinois media outlets. (Typical headline from the Chicago Tribune: “Land of Lincoln is a House Divided.’’)

Blagojevich is scheduled to address Illinois delegates in Denver Wednesday morning. Here’s some of what awaits him from his fellow Democrats:

State Rep. Careen Gordon, D-Coal City: “He couldn’t stand not getting attention when we were all out here.’’

State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Chicago: “It was purposefully done on a day that most Democratic elected officials in Illinois were out of town . . . I think the reception here will not be warm.’’

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan: “It’s more antics.’’ Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn: “It’s somewhat petty to pick that particular day to try and take away attention.’’

State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock: “He was trying in some desperate way to make himself seem somewhat relevant . . . He’s not wanted here.’’

Here’s a video clip of some of what Franks had to say during Tuesday morning’s Illinois delegation meeting at the Denver Marriot.