Law Students

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich Has Been Impeached by a Vote of 114 to 1

By Michael Law

The Illinois House of Representatives has formally impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich, with the initial impeachment process having begun on January 10, 2009.

This development came after the governor allegedly tried to sell the Senate seat of United States President Barack Obama in replacement of solicitation for individual profit. Gov. Blagojevich is now set to be tried for federal corruption charges following his arrest last December 9, 2008.

Mr. Milorad “Rod” R. Blagojevich, a Democrat governor for the state of Illinois serving his second term, was a former boxer and Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney. The case involved illegal practices of mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery to replace Barack Obama in his Senate seat. Noted evidence was taken after a telephone conversation was tapped involving the case - implicating the governor of auctioning off the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti. In the motion, it is being asked that Gov. Blagojevich be released of gubernatorial power due to his failure of upholding his oath of office.

The House legislators voted 114 to 1 for his impeachment, laying the foundation for his federal trial - ironically slated to take place in Illinois, the home state of United States President Barack Obama.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty of the criminal charges, and is confident that the allegations will be proven wrong once all the evidence in the trial is made public.

This political brouhaha in the president’s home state will be the first prosecution against a governor after a clean slate of 190 years. Barbara Flynn Currie, a Democratic member and chairwoman of the Illinois House of Representatives since 1997, released a statement definitely declaring her fellow legislator’s denunciation of the negligence and corruption carried out by the accused governor. These actions allegedly taken by the governor is said to be an apparent violation of the constitution, of which they rightfully represent as governors.

The state senate trial is slated to begin January 26, 2009 with a federal prosecutor appointed by the House of Representatives. Gov. Blagojevich’s guilt hangs in the balance due to the decisions of the senate - once 40 members of the senate have deemed him culpable of the accusations then he will be judged as guilty of his accusations.

The Illinois Supreme Court overruled the decision of the secretary of state to appoint Attorney General Roland Burris in succeeding Barack Obama’s vacant slot. This was after Gov. Blagojevich’s defied the House’s appeal for his impeachment; the governor then immediately announced that Burris was to take over the seat formerly held by the current United States President.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid convened with Attorney General Burris on January 7th to discuss the appointment made by the legally-troubled governor. Mr. Reid eventually decided to support Burris’ selection as legislator. State Attorney General Lisa Madigan also declared the appointment process legal and reasonable. Roland Burris then made a statement on January 9th in gratitude of the Supreme Court’s ruling and denied accusations of his involvement in Gov. Blagojevich’s corruption schemes.

Another camp within the House voiced out their disapproval of Mr. Burris’ promotion. Senator Dick Durbin reiterated the constitutional requirement of signatures from the governor and secretary of state when filling Senate vacancies.

Gov. Blagojevich came out on national television last January 9th claiming that this whole political scandal was a ploy spearheaded by fellow legislators whom he had conflicts with in terms of property and tax relief. The governor attempted to show the many examples of citizens he has helped through his implementations of healthcare institutions and gubernatorial leadership.

Gov. Blagojevich’s approval rating has now dipped to less than 7%. In October of 2008, he recieved the lowest ratings ever recorded for an elected politician in nearly three decades of Chicago Tribune polls.

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Full post as published by Law Vibe on January 23, 2009 (boomark / email).