Illinois gov. to fill Obama's Senate seat

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-6  |     ONLINE EDITION

THE campaign of change that led Barack Obama to the White House will bring tangible change to Illinois, where embattled Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has the task of selecting the junior US senator's replacement.

It's a position of power Blagojevich, whose administration has been dogged by federal investigations, seems to relish.

"I've never had more friends than I do today," he said yesterday. "And when I make the final decision, I won't have nearly as many as I have now."

The governor could tap practically anyone to fill the remainder of Obama's term, which ends in January 2011. And he made it clear he's not rushing the decision: He said he'd like to make an announcement before Christmas but cautioned that wasn't a promise.

While the law sets no timetable, the appointment is likely to come before the Jan. 3 start of the 111th Congress.

Blagojevich said he doesn't have a favorite candidate and that members of his senior staff would help to vet those interested in the job. The only legal restrictions are that the person must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for at least nine years and an Illinois resident.

Blagojevich said some candidates reached out to him before the election and that his administration would seek out others. He also wants Obama's input.

"That would have obviously a great deal of weight on the decision that I would make," Blagojevich said.

He said he had not yet spoken to Obama, whose timeline for resigning his Senate seat was unclear yesterday.

Much speculation has surrounded members of Illinois' congressional delegation, including Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky. Jackson and Schakowsky served as national co-chairs of Obama's presidential campaign.

The three were among the people Blagojevich called "great candidates out there. This is what makes this so difficult," he said.