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Illinois House Faces Possible Blago Impeachment Vote Next Week

January 02, 2009 4:04 PM

ABC News Matt Jaffe and Chris Bury Report: Illinois state legislators have been called back to Springfield next week for a possible vote on the impeachment of embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, arrested last month on corruption charges, including allegedly attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

Steve Brown, spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, told ABC News that Madigan sent a letter to lawmakers today telling them to return to Springfield by 4pm CT Wednesday and to plan on staying in session for a few days, perhaps through January 13.

With the Illinois House special investigative committee set to recovene on Tuesday and issue a recommendation next week whether or not to impeach Blagojevich, an impeachment vote is possible sometime late next week.

If there is an impeachment vote, the Illinois House requires a majority vote to impeach. The Senate then conducts a "trial," presided over by the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Both sides are allowed witnesses. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate. A conviction results in removal and disqualification from future office.

Despite calls from Democratic party leaders for Blagojevich to step down, the Illinois governor announced at a press conference earlier this week that he officially selected former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to fill the seat vacated by Obama.

Senate Democrats said they would refuse to seat Blagojevich's choice, despite the governor's argument that the people of Illinois deserve representation.

Burris says he's willing to take on top Democrats, including the president-elect, to take possession of the Senate seat that he claims is now rightfully his.

On Friday afternoon, Burris filed a Motion to Accelerate Consideration with the Illinois Supreme Court.

January 2, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (17)

User Comments

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Seeing the trolls on this board reminds me of this article I came across. A funny and insightful read on trolls.

http://www.motleymoose.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=756

Posted by: Trolls and the Broken Window Theory | Jan 2, 2009 4:20:44 PM

Thanks for the link. That's a great way to look at things. This Blago scandal has turned the ABC comment boards into a trollfest.

Posted by: Ed | Jan 2, 2009 4:22:15 PM

Obama left a smoldering burning wreck in Illinois. This is the same state that elected Obama when Obama promised these people he would serve them. Does it appear Obama served these poeple for one day since elected as senator.

Posted by: dee dee doo | Jan 2, 2009 5:05:23 PM

I hope when the dust settles on this mess, absolute truth has emerged, whatever that truth may be. To me, change we can believe in is a change from coverups and lies and deceptions to unfiltered, unadulterated truth - regardless of where the chips may fall and on whom on this one. Perhaps that naive, but it's the fresh air I'm hoping for in the next 4 years.

Posted by: Den | Jan 2, 2009 5:36:05 PM

THANK YOU ILLINOIS MACHINE POLITICS!

Sincerely, The Republican National Committee

Posted by: Kris in AL | Jan 2, 2009 5:42:12 PM

It ia a BLOGATE.

Posted by: jesuino leduino rosa | Jan 2, 2009 5:58:26 PM

Love him or hate him we must admit that Governor Rod Blagojevich is a political genius. If he were a Republican governor just imagine how effective this political move would be. Imagine the drama of the New York Times reporting on Republicans physically blocking the only black Senator entrance to the Senate floor. That's a photo op the media would use to destroy Republican candidates forever!

Posted by: greg_sh | Jan 2, 2009 6:35:57 PM

Rod looks so cute in that picture. He looks like Michael Landon reincarnated. He really does!

Posted by: Rod is hot. | Jan 2, 2009 6:42:24 PM

"Puppets" are people who speak with authority 'about something they 'picked-up' from someone else.' They will do this rather than invest the time & energy necessary to effectively research the matter, to draw a reasoned and logical conclusion.

Posted by: bobj72 | Jan 2, 2009 6:42:26 PM

Blago, Rezco, Wright, Ayres, Flagan, Obama, etc. I don't care what anyone says. When you lie down with dogs you are bound to end up with fleas. They are all know how to play the game of Chicago politics as PEBO says, but it will all come out in the end. Sad for the people of Chicago. I am glad I don't live there. How do you keep yourself "clean and pure" let your committe or spokesman speak and call for you. This way you will forever clean and pure. "I didn't do it or say it". Then be evasive and sit back and do nothing or say nothing because you just don't know. The news media calls this "cool". Keep the same talking points over and over again. The media calls this "intelligent". Wait all the time because you just don't know what to say or do until you supposedly see all the facts. The news media also calls this "intelligent". Sometimes I wonder.....

Posted by: Anne C | Jan 2, 2009 10:23:15 PM

The Senate should seat Mr.Burris. After all, what law allows them not to seat him? His value as a Senator is not represented by who appointed him. Another thought....are there any Senators already seated that do not have something in their background that is questionable??? Most of all...those already seated voted for TARP and that should make any other vote or comment they make under suspicion.

Posted by: Lenora | Jan 3, 2009 8:10:11 AM

Some folks don't "search for truth" - they're satisfied simply "repeating questions." Guess that "gets at least a "C", as it Sounds 'Intelligent and Inquisitive?'

Posted by: bobj72 | Jan 3, 2009 8:27:15 PM

Right! Blago hasn't done or said anything that hasn't already been done or said by most palm-greasing political thugs in Chicago. Why just pick on him?

Why not Caroline K S? She is trying to buy a spot with the questionable Kennedy name!

Then we can get on with vetting PEBO?

Posted by: aware2u | Jan 3, 2009 8:53:30 PM

Gov. Rod Blagojevich needs to sing like a canary!

He is a victim of dirty, palm-greasing, manipulative, obfucating, prevaricating Chicago politicians/thugs, including PEBO! They all serve themselves! :(

Posted by: aware2u | Jan 3, 2009 9:00:36 PM

Why drop the bomb on Blago? He seems to be the fall guy for someone else. there is a cover-up here!

Gov. Rod Blagojevich needs to sing like a canary!

He is a victim of dirty, palm-greasing, manipulative, obfuscating, prevaricating Chicago politicians - thugs, including PEBO!

Not to mention the old dim-witted dem cronies in Congress!

They all serve themselves! :(


Posted by: aware2u | Jan 3, 2009 9:05:29 PM

Why drop the bomb on Blago? What is the cover-up?

Gov. Rod Blagojevich needs to sing like a canary!

He is a victim of dirty, palm-greasing, manipulative, obfuscating, prevaricating Chicago political thugs, including PEBO!

They all serve themselves! So do Reid and Pelosi...! :(


Posted by: aware2u | Jan 3, 2009 9:10:26 PM

Whether or not we care to admit it, there is a serious problem 'brewing.' The majority of President Elect Obama's detractors in the media, ref: the Legitimate Media, (NOT the 'Hannutty's, Dembaughs & O'really's) I reference folks who previously presented themselves as reasonable, intelligent, "objective and balanced" reporters. Their obvious assumption was; Senator Barack Obama didn't have a chance to win (the Presidency.) That being proven wrong, with Obama Winning, and doing so By A "Substantial Margin".......... creates a real, serious dilemma, those same people are now 'taking on the armament' to form the attack on President Elect Obama's Administration. And they'll be doing this now, for a minimum of 4 years. Seems to me, a Most Difficult circumstance to "Change Ones Image!" Unfortunately, many of YOU common-folk are also obviously, experiencing the "Same Fate!" Such emotional trauma could cause serious 'stress issues! So, see to it you're being careful.

Posted by: bobj72 | Jan 5, 2009 1:54:12 AM

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