SPRINGFIELD - While their boss faces federal criminal corruption charges, as well as an ongoing effort to impeach him, 200-plus state workers will kick off the new year learning to be ethical.

As part of an annual effort aimed at fighting fraud in government, top brass from four state agencies will spend seven hours in a conference room Jan. 7 for an "Ethics in the Workplace" seminar.

"Don't miss the fantastic speakers and great roundtable discussion," notes a brochure outlining the event.

The program, featuring speakers from the governor's office and other state and federal agencies, is aimed at educating "mid to upper management level state employees" on "ethics in the workplace," said Jill Watson, a spokeswoman for the embattled governor.

It comes against the backdrop of Blagojevich's Dec. 9 arrest by federal agents.

Blagojevich maintains he is innocent of charges that, among other things, allege he attempted to extort money or jobs in exchange for President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.

The event, which will take place at the University of Illinois-Chicago, and be broadcast to state office buildings for those unable to travel, features a selection of speakers who are emblematic of Illinois' solid reputation as a politically freewheeling, clout-driven state.

Rodger Heaton, the U.S. attorney for the central district of Illinois, is among them.

In 2006, Heaton reportedly dined with Republican powerbroker William Cellini at a private club in Springfield. Cellini, head of a state roadbuilding lobby and a prolific fundraiser, now faces federal extortion charges in Illinois' northern district.

Another speaker, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, is married to powerful Chicago alderman Edward Burke.

And, former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert also is speaking.

Hastert recently assisted Blagojevich in an effort to get a statewide construction plan on the books. The federal criminal complaint alleges Blagojevich may have planned to use the program to milk campaign contributions from contractors and engineering firms.

"Panelists are not paid and no one receives money for transportation," Watson noted. They will, however, receive lunch and a plaque for their efforts, she said.

Agencies participating in the training include the Department of Transportation, the Department of Revenue, the state Toll Highway Authority and Central Management Services.

Watson said the entire cost of the seminar is about $2,200, which will pay in part for the rental of a conference room.