Chicago Political Machine:Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich removed from office
The Illinois Senate voted to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office Thursday, marking the first time in the state’s long history of political corruption that a chief executive has been impeached and convicted.
The 59-0 vote followed several hours of public deliberation in which senator after senator stood up to blast Blagojevich, whose tenure lasted six years. And it came after a four-day impeachment trial on allegations that Blagojevich abused his power and sold his office for personal and political benefit.
The conviction on a sweeping article of impeachment means the governor was immediately removed from office. The Senate also unanimously voted to impose the “political death penalty” on Blagojevich, banning him from ever again holding office in Illinois.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn, Blagojevich’s two-time running mate, has become the state’s 41st governor.
The whirlwind of change capped a dramatic day in Illinois politics that promises to have repercussions for years to come. Quinn and lawmakers must bail out a state in the red by as much as $5 billion, and the campaign for statewide offices including governor formally kicks off late this year when candidates file to run in the February 2010 primary.
Highlighting the day’s serious nature, Blagojevich offered his own sprawling, passionate closing argument after ignoring a Senate impeachment trial all week to take his case to the nation on the talk-show circuit.
Continue reading at Chicago Tribune
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