Illinois House takes first step to impeach governor

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-16 06:45

CHICAGO - Illinois House of Representative took the first step on Monday to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was charged with corruption.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at a downtown office building Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Chicago. Blagojevich was arrested last week on federal charges that he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. [Agencies]

"We're going to proceed with all due speed, but we're going to make sure that what we do is done correctly," said House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Madigan made the remarks as he established a committee to recommend whether the governor should be removed from office for his involvement in corruption cases, and to allow the full floor to decide whether to file impeachment charges against him based on the recommendation.

However, the state Senate would rule on the impeachment charges at last.

Blagojevich, who is currently in his second term, was arrested last week by Federal Bureau of Investigation operatives on federal fraud and bribery charges, including an alleged attempt to profit by naming a replacement for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

He was released on bail and returned to his work despite pressure by state lawmakers and Obama's calls for his resignation. He also refused to make any comment to media on his charges.

"The impeachment talk is nothing new for this governor," said governor's spokesman Lucio Guerrero in response to the House action on Monday. "They've been talking about it for a long time."

It was also confirmed by Madigan that the House of Representatives, indeed, started to review the legal possibilities one year ago to impeach the governor who has been investigated for corruption charges for years.

According to the state Constitution, lawmakers can impeach a governor for any reason deemed sufficient.