Posted by
Billy email MADBillyD@aol.com on Friday, January 09, 2009 12:24:37 PM
In a dramatic display of anger and solidarity over a political scandal that has made Illinois a national laughingstock, lawmakers on Friday voted 114-1 to impeach disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich. ( BLAGO IMPEACHED... )
It's the first time in the state's history that the Illinois House has voted to impeach its governor. The impeachment proceedings will now move to the Illinois Senate for trial. That trial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 26.
The one lawmaker voting against impeachment was Rep. Milton Patterson, a Chicago Demorcrat who represents the South Side. Rep Elga Jefferies, also a Chicago Democrat, voted present.
Before the vote, lawmakers lined up to denounce the governor. They expressed anger and embarrassment over his alleged behavior, which includes a criminal complaint that he attempted to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.
(This was the right move but it took too long. The Gov. has his man in the Senate and most legal minds I have heard believe his man will be able to stay in the Senate. What should have been done earlier is Democrat leaders should have called for a special election in ILL. to replace President Obama in the Senate. It is too late for that now. Oh well at least the Gov. is going to have an Impeachment trial.)
