Jurors at the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich have ended their eighth day of deliberations early and gone home for a weekend break.

A court official sent a one-sentence statement around 1:30 Friday afternoon that jurors have left. It gave no indication about whether they may be close to reaching a verdict.

They're expected to be back Monday morning for their ninth day of deliberations.

Blagojevich faces 24 counts, including charges of trying to sell or trade an appointment to Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat. His co-defendant brother, Robert Blagojevich, faces four.

Both have pleaded not guilty.