It was easier to remember how many no votes today. The final tally is 114-1, yes. Three state Reps were absent today.
One of the 6th's state Representatives, Milt Patterson, was the only no vote according to Clout St.
Rep. Milt Patterson (D-Chicago) was the lone vote against impeaching the governor. Patterson, from Chicago's Southwest Side, said after the roll call that he didn't feel it was his job to vote to impeach the governor. He declined comment on whether he approved of the job Blagojevich is doing.If you want to see the resolution check out this page over at the General Assembly website.
More on Milt Patterson:
He says he read the impeachment committee's report but wasn't comfortable voting against the governor because he has "no first-hand knowledge of any of the evidence."Eh? Does he know what impeachment is for? Sounds like a little confusion.Patterson says he went by his own "gut feeling." He says he isn't defending Blagojevich. But he says it's up to prosecutors -- not him -- to indict the governor.
AP:
A debate over the future of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich began with top lawmakers saying he should be impeached for betraying the public trust.A simple majority is needed for the state House to impeach and there will be a trial in the state Senate.
House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie says Blagojevich has "forfeited his right to hold office." She noted that he hasn't given the people of Illinois an explanation for the criminal charges filed against him by federal prosecutors.
And Republican leader Tom Cross called the Blagojevich scandal "an embarrassment" that has made Illinois a national laughingstock.
He says lawmakers should be angry over what Blagojevich has done to state government.
Watch the proceeding on the Illinois Channel homepage or read a live blog at the CapFax or Clout St or Illinois Review.
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