Pat Quinn, Governor

Today, Illinois has a new Governor.

The old one, Rod Blagojevich made a grand speech in the State Senate. After a last ditch effort to save his job. And they responded by voting 59-0 in favor of both removing from the Governorship and barring Blagojevich from any further office in Illinois!

At about 5:42 PM, Pat Quinn was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Illinois. You can also check out the statement made by former Governor Blagojevich upon learning his fate in the vote by the state Senate.

Below is Quinn being sworn in!

Here are some other links of interest today!

Gone, Gone, Gone! - Broken Heart of Roger's Park

Patrick Quinn is Illinois' governor - Marathon Pundit

The Football - ArchPundit

EXTRA: Whose vote was deciding factor in first removal of an Illinois gov? - Chicago Argus

Quinn sucks up to Springfield - thereisaway.us

Gov. Pat Quinn orders state website home pages to be stripped of Blagojevich name and images by noon Friday - Lynn Sweet

Even Sen. Burris slapping around Blago - Greg Hinz

Sen. Frank Watson Classes Up the Joint - Mechanics

Blagojevich Convicted - Senator Says "It's Bleeping Golden"; Obama's Former Colleagues Say Everybody Knew About Corruption, And No One Did Anything - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

OK, I'm thru! Enough linking. I suggest listening to Sen. Frank Watson. I'm sure there were people who offered glee, Watson offered tears. Perhaps tears of regret more than anything and then forcing himself to make the right call!

Blagojevich headed to Senate impeachment trial

Tribune.

Well it's probably a little late for Blagojevich to question witnesses or what not, but it's great to see that he'll be able to speak to the state Senate and offer a closing statement. Perhaps he's stuck his nose in at exactly the right time. Still, why engage in this media blitz in New York in the first place?

Do blacks and Hispanics support Blagojevich more than whites?

Dawn Turner Trice:

Last night, on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” show, a state legislator said that Gov. Rod Blagojevich still enjoys a sizeable amount of support in Chicago’s African American and Hispanic communities. She said that was true because the governor has instituted programs, such as allowing seniors to ride public transit for free, that seem to have a significant impact on minority communities.

It certainly appears that the governor has a lot of support among minorities when you consider some of the people surrounding him of late. Shortly after the governor’s Dec. 9th arrest, a group of black ministers convened at his home to pray for him. Minutes after Blagojevich’s impeachment earlier this month, he was joined on stage by a number of minority constituents.

But does the governor still enjoy a lot of support in the black and Hispanic communities? Or has the governor orchestrated these moments to appear this way?

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform conducted a state poll that found that blacks and whites aren’t too far apart when it comes to how they view state politics. (The campaign didn’t address Hispanics specifically.)

Blagojevich tapes heard for the first time

Most likely heavily edited, but this is probably going to be the basis of the evidence to impeach Gov. Blagojevich. The trial is expected to wrap up by Thursday and Blagojevich could be removed at the beginning of the month. Anyway I missed this scene and at least WBBM-TV has the scene from the state Senate chambers.

Also here's some audio files & transcripts.

The State Senate will be back in session tomorrow at 9:30AM!

Impeachment trial starts today

At Noon in Springfield, IL in the state Senate chambers of the Illinois State Capitol. There will be live coverage, head over towards the Illinois Channel for that.

The Governor choosing not to take part in his own impeachment trail is embarking on a media blitz. It largely started in Chicago on Friday. I noted that he came to the neighborhood to visit with Cliff Kelly at WVON-AM.

On Sunday he's made a national appearance on the Today Show. This morning you should have been able to see him on Good Morning America and The View.

BTW, check out Rich Miller's syndicated column this morning. It may offer an indication of how he's run his administration. The conclusion being that he's difficult to control, especially if anyone on his staff or apparently his lawyers doesn't entirely agree with him.

Also read this very scathing blog over at Chicago Carless about the Governor's media blitz. There are links there to editorials around the state about the Governor's call for editorial board support for his rights at the impeachment trial. Hmm, because of what he tried to do with the Tribune as outlined in his criminal complaint or even his boorish behavior towards certain editorial boards outside of Chicago, he's not going to get those types of editorials.

Also over at Illinoize, I blogged about a New York Times article comparing the Senate appointment process of both Blagojevich and NY Gov. David Patterson.

Finally Marathon Pundit takes a look at those reports that seeks to explain the Governor's mental health condition.

The Governor was in the neighborhood again!!!

Actually he was at the WVON-AM studios with Mike Parker of WBBM-TV outside the studios to offer his report of his radio appearance there on Friday.

Friday was a busy day. He was already on WLS and he had a press conference in the afternoon. Then not too long after that he found his was to 87th Street to rap with Cliff Kelly on WVON-AM. Of course the significance of this appearance is the WVON is a black-owned radio station with a sizeable black audience. Most of the calls during the Governor's segment were generally in support of him.

You want to see about his earlier press conference go here to the CapFax.

Also Ed Genson who largely represented the Governor during last month's impeachment hearings in the state House has cut ties to the Governor. In ending his professional relationship with the Governor he said that the Governor wouldn't listen to Genson's advice.

Blago: I'm being railroaded so the bad guys can raise taxes!

According to Eric Zorn:

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's public relations strategy for his upcoming impeachment trial became clear during a 40-minute interview this morning on WLS-AM.

It's to portray the proceedings as an unfair fight between a latter-day Frank Capra hero (him) and the cynical members of the political/industrial complex in Springfield who want to oust him simply so they can raise income, sales and gasoline taxes.

If his lawyers fail in a long-shot attempt to have the courts block the start of Monday's trial (the governor vaguely foreshadowed such an effort when he said "We’re going to do something a little bit later today"),  Blagojevich hopes the public will rise up and shame members of the Illinois Senate into voting against his removal from office.

Integral to that effort will be his "empty chair" defense.

In normal times I could say this is something I can be with the Governor on, not raising taxes. The state is in the red, however and he seems to have a knack for proposing big programs. All Kids or a general health care expansion, a state stimulus package for the people of Illinois, or even free rides for senior citizens. All those cost money and he's trying to do it without making a hard choice not to raise taxes. You can only borrow or hit user fees only so much.

Also this argument seems to avoid why there is a move to impeach and remove him now. He did some corrupt stuff that got him arrested. I highly doubt that they're going after him only because he refuses to raise taxes or because he was getting things done by the people. It may just be that he's simply not playing very well wit hthe people he has to work with.

I was listening to the radio and I understand that he was on WLS this morning. I also understand that WLS offered him a job if he resigns. You can see coverage of that at the Capitol Fax.

While this mornings broadcast is available here with a Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3. You can also tune in to WLS at about 6:30 tonight to hear is on the radio as well.

BTW, Capitol Fax also addresses some of his bogus charges as well here & here.

Perhaps the Governor isn't going to sit quietly

The Capitol Fax blog discusses news that his defense teams isn't going to challenge the upcoming impeachment trial in court. This isn't making a lot of sense especially since he continues to proclaim his innocence. This also seems to contradict his pledge to fight these charges against him!

The Governor isn't sitting back quietly...

Yesterday he also failed to request subpoenas in his impeachment trial. Hat-tip CapFax!

Still even though his attorneys won't participate in the trial they will try to attempt to block it:

The governor's impeachment trial is set to start Monday, but Wednesday night, there are efforts to stop it. CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports that the governor's attorneys, having virtually given up trying to win the case, are now leaning toward going to court, to try to block the trial.

But Senate President John Cullerton, in an exclusive interview, says he doubts they'll be successful.

"If they want to go to a court and have a court tell us to stop, that's up to them. But I cannot envision any court interfering with this process because we are following the constitution," Cullerton said.

Blagojevich attorneys Ed Genson and Sam Adam Jr. pulled out of the trial last Friday in protest to the rules approved by the Senate, which will hear evidence, decide issues of law and then render a verdict.

Cullerton says the rules are patterned after the Clinton impeachment in the U.S. Senate. And says the trial has to start on time or else.

"We have a legislative session that would otherwise begin on February 3rd," Cullerton said. "We have to pass a budget. We don't have enough money to pay the bills, and knowing who the governor is going to be is critical to the process."

While Obama was inaugurated!!!

Governor Blagojevich needed to go back to the city's Federal buildings to once again get fingerprinted:

The governor, charged with political corruption, was fingerprinted again because the quality of the first set of prints taken last month was not considered good enough, sources said.

The fingerprinting inside the federal courthouse came on a Blagojevich visit to pretrial services that his attorneys characterized as routine. The governor's attorneys noted that the governor is required to appear at the offices whenever directed. His lead lawyer, Edward Genson, was not present.

The Governor also didn't file a motion to dismiss his impeachment charges with the State Senate. His attorneys have already pledged not to participate in his impeachment trial:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich remains silent on formal answers to impeachment charges with a Senate trial over his possible ouster just six days away.


The second-term Democrat, whose criminal lawyers quit his impeachment defense in protest last week, missed a second deadline Tuesday to file responses to a charge he abused his power as governor. The House voted 117 to 1 on Jan. 14 to impeach him.

As a result of his inaction, the Senate will presume the governor pleads not guilty to the charge and will move toward opening the historic trial Monday, said Toby Trimmer, spokesman for Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).
...
The 4 p.m. deadline Tuesday was to file a request to dismiss the charge and kill the Senate proceeding. Senators, sitting as judges in the trial, would have voted on whether to grant the request. But there was no word from the governor or anyone representing him, Trimmer said.

It was the second trial-related deadline established by the Senate that the governor missed. Blagojevich had until Saturday to file a document answering charges in the case. Neither he nor a representative submitted anything Saturday or Monday, Trimmer said.

Doesn't seem like he's going to "fight, fight, fight" until he takes his last breath.

The impeachment trial is on with or without him.

Impeachement and appoinment news!

What goes on in Springfield today? Well the 96th Illinois General Assembly will be inaugurated. After the new state House of Reps gets inaugurated they'll vote again on articles of impeachment for Gov. Blagojevich.

The more awkward moment for today is in the state Senate. Gov. Blagojevich will preside and take nominations for Senate President, however, he will not swear Senators into their respective offices. He will preside over the roll call vote for Senate President. Then the Senate President will address the chamber.

The Senate will also approve rules over the coming session, but also look at rules for the Governor's impeachment. Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald of the state Supreme Court will be sworn in to preside over the Governor's impeachment trial in the Senate. The Senators will also be sworn in as jurors for the coming impeachment trial.

Also Senator-designate Roland Burris will be sworn in as a US Senator this week. Burris is known to be a resident of the Sixth Ward and was acknowledged in the Alderman's latest newsletter. Anyway whatever credentials he had was finally in order so he can be seated and inaugurated.

Burris also paid a visit to the City Council on Tuesday.

Also yesterday the CapFax looks at Sen. Dick Durbin's role in this whole appointment controversy.

Blagojevich to seat Senate that'll try him

UPI:

From the Kafka files: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will swear in the state Senate, whose first order of business is whether to remove him from office.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, then senators will consider whether to try Blagojevich on articles of impeachment approved by the House last week, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

The 59 senators -- 37 Democrats and 22 Republicans -- will act as the jury in the first impeachment trial of an Illinois governor. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald will preside, while a special prosecutor will present the House's evidence. Blagojevich's defense team is likely to be led by criminal attorney Ed Genson. And, it will be televised.

"It's different from a criminal trial -- dramatically different," incoming state Senate President John Cullerton said. "You don't have the same protections, if you will, for a governor as a defendant as you do if there is a criminal charge."

Reports are that the Governor is confident that he might be acquitted by the state Senate, especially since the state Supreme Court Chief Justice will preside over the trial.

Of course there are those who feel differently about that. Just check out Rich Miller's syndicated column.

Impeachment: what's next

Clout City:

The Illinois House made history today by impeaching the governor. Next week it's going to do it again.

This session of the state legislature, the 95th General Assembly, will end Tuesday, well before the Illinois Senate will be able to conduct an impeachment trial. HR1671, as the House impeachment resolution is formally known, will then be flushed along with other unfinished business when the 96th assembly is sworn in Wednesday.

The new House, which will include rookie rep Deb Mell, sister-in-law of Governor Blagojevich, will then have to hold another vote on another resolution that's identical to the one passed today, except that it'll have a different number attached to the "HR" in its formal name.

Steve Brown, spokesman for House speaker Michael Madigan, says the impeachment resolution will be presented for a vote almost immediately after members are sworn in Wednesday. "We’ll validate the work that’s been done and the resolution passed today," he said. "All of this was anticipated."

Today's vote wasn't simply put off until next week, legislators say, because they wanted to send a message as soon as possible that they were ready to oust the governor and start addressing other substantial problems. "Before the governor’s arrest, the number one call I got was from day care providers and health care providers talking about shutting down because they hadn’t been paid by the state," said state rep David Miller, who represents a south side and south suburban district. "In this economy, where people are trying to hold onto their jobs, we cannot afford to be losing day care providers.... Then the whole circus started—but those problems still exist. We had to at least make sure we could move forward."

I've been hearing a lot of things about the actual impeachment trial in the state Senate. Some could compare it to what happened with Bill Clinton when he was impeached with members of the House of Representatives coming into the Senate as managers. In this case of Blagojevich, we may see attorneys make the case for or against the Governor.

The basic analogy about the whole impeachment and removal process is that the House makes an "indictment" as a "grand jury". Then the state Senate acts as "jury" that effectively issues a "conviction". Of course while there aren't any solid rules for impeachment, there is one common thing with what might be found in the federal constitution, the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court is supposed to preside over the "trial". And remember this is more of a political matter than a legal one.

BTW, one issue of concern that has been said by many political followers is that the state Senate is suppose to be presided over and inaugurated by Rod Blagojevich. There might be some concern that the Governor won't show up to preside over the state Senate so that they can turn around and consider his impeachment. Some like Greg Hinz who I saw on Friday's edition Chicago Tonight wondered if the state Senate can inaugurate itself or perhaps the Lt. Governor could be allowed to inaugurate the Senate. Laura Washington said (also was a guest on Chicago Tonight with Hinz) that the state police could arrest the Governor again and force him to inaugurate the Senate. By Wednesday there will be an answer to that question and we can continue on this road.

Illinois House begins impeachment debate and votes yes

UPDATE: Just saw it go down, the House has impeached Governor Blagojevich. I would like to know who was the lone NO vote however. The state House has adjourned until Monday.

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."

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.

Eh? Does he know what impeachment is for? Sounds like a little confusion.

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.

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.

A simple majority is needed for the state House to impeach and there will be a trial in the state Senate.

Watch the proceeding on the Illinois Channel homepage or read a live blog at the CapFax or Clout St or Illinois Review.

Panel says: Impeach guv.

AP:

The Illinois House should impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich for abusing his power, mismanaging Illinois government and committing possible criminal acts, a special committee concluded Thursday.

The House could vote Friday, making Blagojevich the first governor impeached in the long, sordid history of Illinois politics. Impeachment in the House would trigger a Senate trial to decide whether the second-term Democrat should be removed from office.

The 21-member committee voted unanimously to recommend impeachment. Many called it "a sad day" for Illinois, but Rep. Bill Black disagreed.

"I think this is a good, glad, happy day for Illinois because it points out that nobody is above the law," the Danville Republican said. "There have been egregious abuses if half of what we read is true."

It appears that this state's nightmare is getting close to the end. I missed the vote, but I saw Burris get grilled by the Special Investigative Committee. I was wondering about the droning questions from the Republican spokesman committee member Rep. Durkin. One thing was for certain the concern was regarding Burris' appointment to the US Senate and his dealings with the Governor prior or after the Dec. 9th arrest.

Scandal/impeachment/appointment items

Obama sent message to Senate Dems to end distracting Burris controversy - Lynn Sweet

Ransom Notes: Democrats and the Black vote - Defender via Bill Barr at Illinoize

Republicans have tough questions for Burris - The Southern

Questions I Would Like the House to Ask Roland Burris Tomorrow - Mechanics

Capitol Fax

Burris to testify today
Impeachment committee report released

Burris Anticipates Being Sworn in as Senator - CPR

Blagojevich not leaving governor's mansion anytime soon

Fran Eaton at the Southtown:

I've also observed Blagojevich's Democratic archrival House Speaker Mike Madigan arrange for the House Special Investigation Committee to be dominated by vengeful Democrats who've been after Blagojevich's hide for years. In the rush to initiate impeachment hearings rather than opt for a special election to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, Madigan - usually very politically savvy - appeared to have lost his cool and perhaps lost the opportunity to oust Blagojevich.

Had Madigan thought it through, he should have wanted the special investigation committee's recommendations to be as credible as possible. Had the committee been set up as Supreme County Chief Justice James Heiple's impeachment committee was in 1999, with bipartisan co-chairs equipped with subpoena powers, the committee's recommendations would have seemed more palatable. Instead, this looks like a political vendetta, with Blagojevich's longtime House enemies Lou Lang, John Fritchey and Jack Franks leading the charge.

Not only is the committee dominated by Democrats, Madigan structured the investigation to bestow only himself and his Democratic floor leader, Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, the authority to summon witnesses. Republicans will have little or no impact on the House committee's final decision on whether to impeach the governor and send the question to the Senate.

I showed the video here where Madigan seemed to have turned this issue partisan. I thought that was a mistake then. Of course I won't speculate on whether a misstep was made or not.

At 3PM today, the special investigation committee will meet. Tune in thru the General Assembly website. Look for House and then find a link for audio/video. I hope you have broadband.

A look at the Governor's impeachment

The Capitol Fax has a round up on the possible speed of an impeachment trial in the state Senate, but while you're at it they even blogged about Roland Burris being turned away from the US Senate chambers. You know the whole issue about being appointed by a corrupt governor and he credentials aren't in order due to the fact that Jesse White won't certify some documents.

Scandal/impeachment items

Compiling links from throughout the weekend! I just noticed that I've picked up a lot of items from sources around the nation. Illinois politics has been front page news across the nation and even the world, unfortunately, it had to take the arrest of Blagojevich to get this type of attention.

An Illinois Dynasty Grapples with the Blagojevich Scandal - Time

Blagojevich says he's fighting for people of Ill. - AP

Rod Blagojevich, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards Top Santa's 'Naughty List' - Associated Content

'Chicago II": The Rod Blogevich Story - Merced Sun-Star

Blagojevich subpoena request criticized - Tribune

The Official Guide To Blagojevich Blogs - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

Blagojevich may not hurt chances at stimulus money - pjstar

Burns' Plan To Fill Obama's Senate Seat - Progress Illinois

You know the actions of the Governor will probably hurt other governor's in the long run perhaps we can quell another absurd precent, but making Rep-elect Burns permanent. The Governor's choice to fill a US Senate seat should be subject to approval by the General Assembly.

What's on the Blagojevich tapes? - Kansas City Star

Gov. Blagojevich omitted an important Kipling line - The Olympian

Chicago Furniture Company Mocks Illinois Governor in Newspaper Ad - Cleveland Leader

Is Blago on the wrong planet? - Illinois Review

Scandal/impeachment items

Took a break for Christmas Day and Eve I hope everyone who read this blog had a very blessed holiday!

People of Illinois need a bit of a timeout - Defender

There is no doubt that the allegations against Gov. Rod Blagojevich are alarming and identify some brazen activities on his part. The allegations cast a pall of negativity over the state’s image, especially coming after the immediate past governor was convicted of malfeasance similar to Blagojevich’s accusations.

To invoke a pay-to-play practice in the state’s business practice is not only deplorable and down right shameful, it hurts the worthy businesses denied an opportunity to fairly compete for contracts with the state, which could help the businesses’ bottom line and, thus, the Illinois residents they employ.

Selling a coveted Senate seat for any kind of gain–personal or political–as Blagojevich is charged with doing, is beyond comprehension, counterproductive to the citizens of this state, and an injustice to the worthy, competent and accomplished candidates who may be interested in the post.

Blacks say they retain clout despite possible loss of Senate seat - Defender

Despite the scandal swirling about Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the delay in choosing a replacement for President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, Black politicians say the controversy and delay will not diminish Black political clout in the state.

“I don’t think that any political clout has been compromised,” said U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-7th, who said that the scandal has “damaged” politics in general.

State Rep. David Miller agreed, stating that the Black community has a relationship with many elected officials, including others whose names were tossed in the ring for the vacancy, such as Madigan and Giannoulias.

Talks With Blagojevich 'Innocent' - American Chronicle

Guv's woes are a big gift for some - Greg Hinz

Advice for Obama on Blagojevich Scandal - CPR

State Capitol Q&A: Why Blagojevich hasn't stepped down - State Journal Register

Video: Gov. Blagojevich Plays "Sen. Clay Davis" From The Wire

Watch the eerie similarities between indicted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, and "The Wire" character, "Sen. Clay Davis." Who says art doesn't reflect, and sometimes dictate, life?

Obama Questioned by FBI for Two Hours - Newsalert

Blagojevich's lawyer asks House for subpoenas - Sun-Times

Gov. Blagojevich’s lead lawyer has asked the Illinois House panel weighing whether to impeach the governor to subpoena three high-profile witnesses.

The lawyer, Ed Genson, said Wednesday that testimony by Valerie Jarrett, a top adviser to President-elect Barack Obama; U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), Obama’s incoming chief of staff; and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), would bolster the governor’s contention that he did nothing wrong when it comes to filling Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate Seat.

Blagojevich Probe Expands to Include Prison Closing - Bloomberg

Biden: Blagojevich 'Incapable' of Governing - MSNBC

Appearing on "Larry King Live" on CNN Monday night, Vice President-elect Joe Biden referred to Gov. Rod Blagojevich as "a guy who is not capable of governing."

"I know in our system you're innocent until proven guilty, but those tapes that were released by the special prosecutor, by the, excuse me, by the U.S. Attorney, seem incredibly, incredibly incriminating. It's a decision for the people of Illinois to make, and the legislature of Illinois to make, but from where I sit he looks like a guy who is not capable of governing," Biden said during the interview.

Video: You're a mean one, Blagojevich LOL!!!

Can Eddie Genson's fireworks get a fair trial for the hate figure of the hour? - Conrad Black

Illinois politics: Easier than Dec. 26 shopping - John Kass

Jones III set to succeed father, mum on Blago scandal - Southtown

Gov's lawyer asks panel to subpoena Obama staff - AP

Guv's woes are a big gift for some - Greg Hinz