Illinois lawmakers launch impeachment of governor

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-16  |     ONLINE EDITION

ILLINOIS lawmakers yesterday approved an inquiry into whether Gov. Rod Blagojevich should be impeached in the wake of charges he tried to sell the US Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

The Illinois House of Representatives voted 113-0 to form a committee to determine whether that body should bring as yet undefined charges against him, which if approved would result in a trial in the state Senate and his possible removal from office.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan -- like Obama and Blagojevich a Democrat -- told reporters in Springfield, the state capital, the charges might include "abuse of power."

"We are preparing for a trial in the (state) Senate" and will move with "all due speed," Madigan said, although he added the inquiry could take weeks.

Blagojevich was silent about his plans, going to work again at his Chicago office and signing several bills despite demands that he resign -- and not make a Senate appointment.

Through his lawyer, Blagojevich has denied doing anything wrong and shown no willingness to resign his US$177,000-a-year post. The governor, 52, is accused of conspiracy to commit fraud and solicitation of bribes, based on conversations recorded on court-approved wiretaps.

Under current law, Blagojevich, whom federal prosecutors arrested last week, and charged with attempting to swap the Senate seat and political favors for cash and jobs, has sole power to fill US Senate vacancies.

The Democratic-led House shelved a bill, backed by Republicans, to hold a special election in April to elect a new senator to replace Obama. The body then adjourned until Jan. 12, leaving the 21-member impeachment committee to meet through the holidays, if necessary.

Jockeying for the Senate seat has taken on partisan overtones as Republicans see the election as an opening to flip a seat that had been expected to remain in Democratic hands.