The Illinois Senate voted unanimously to impeach former Governor Rod Blagojevich. The senate also ruled unanimously that Blagojevich not be allowed to hold any future public office in Illinois.
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is now set to replace Blagojevich as governor of Illinois.
During the impeachment trial, that lasted most of the day on Jan. 29, a new call for change arose to eliminate corruption from government and to restore public trust. The trial was held in Springfield, Illinois.
Blagojevich, who represented himself, gave a 47 minute argument against his charges before leaving. He claimed himself innocent and took no questions before leaving the building.
“How can you throw an elected governor out of office?” Blagojevich said.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said.
During his argument, Blagojevich claimed he was given no chance to have witnesses speak to his defense, which he claimed would have proven his innocence. This statement was later stated as false by the senate, who said he was allowed to request witnesses.
Blagojevich also made claims that there was no evidence against him. “Think about the dangerous precedent of removing me without any proof of wrongdoing,” he said.
Shortly before his argument, the senate reviewed the evidence against him. Tape recordings from an FBI wiretap were played, filled with profanity and evidence of his various actions that incited the call for his impeachment. He was arrested on federal corruption charges on December 9, 2008. Among the charges against him was the allegation that he attempted to sell President Barack Obama’s empty senate seat.
After he left the House prosecutor delivered a rebuttal to his statements.
At 3:20 p.m. the senators gave statements on their decisions. Discussions began on a review of the evidence against Blagojevich and his claimed innocence in his speech.
“We’ve heard much from the governor,” said Senator Dale Righter. “A spellbinding performance.”
Although his speech was long and grand, Righter said that evidence against Blagojevich has shown his speech to be insincere. “Over the last six years and in startling detail in the last four days we have heard other words,” he said “These words and deeds tell us a different story.”
Senator Matt Murphy said that through Blagojevich’s speech “he reminded us today in real detail that he is an unusually good liar. He came here without any impunity and lied to every member of this chamber.”
“True character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking,” said Murphy. “He failed the test of character... he is no longer worthy to be governor.”
Their words were at times emotional as they expressed concern over corruption and the loss of public trust that has plagued their state. Concerns rose amongst the Senate at one of Blagojevich’s statements that he could not have done what he did without the help of others.
Senator Dan Duffy expressed this concern. “We have just scratched the surface of corruption. - The governor could not do this without help.”
“This is just the beginning,” he said.
“We have a lot of work to do.”
The trial ended just after 6:00 p.m.
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is now set to replace Blagojevich as governor of Illinois.
During the impeachment trial, that lasted most of the day on Jan. 29, a new call for change arose to eliminate corruption from government and to restore public trust. The trial was held in Springfield, Illinois.
Blagojevich, who represented himself, gave a 47 minute argument against his charges before leaving. He claimed himself innocent and took no questions before leaving the building.
“How can you throw an elected governor out of office?” Blagojevich said.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said.
During his argument, Blagojevich claimed he was given no chance to have witnesses speak to his defense, which he claimed would have proven his innocence. This statement was later stated as false by the senate, who said he was allowed to request witnesses.
Blagojevich also made claims that there was no evidence against him. “Think about the dangerous precedent of removing me without any proof of wrongdoing,” he said.
Shortly before his argument, the senate reviewed the evidence against him. Tape recordings from an FBI wiretap were played, filled with profanity and evidence of his various actions that incited the call for his impeachment. He was arrested on federal corruption charges on December 9, 2008. Among the charges against him was the allegation that he attempted to sell President Barack Obama’s empty senate seat.
After he left the House prosecutor delivered a rebuttal to his statements.
At 3:20 p.m. the senators gave statements on their decisions. Discussions began on a review of the evidence against Blagojevich and his claimed innocence in his speech.
“We’ve heard much from the governor,” said Senator Dale Righter. “A spellbinding performance.”
Although his speech was long and grand, Righter said that evidence against Blagojevich has shown his speech to be insincere. “Over the last six years and in startling detail in the last four days we have heard other words,” he said “These words and deeds tell us a different story.”
Senator Matt Murphy said that through Blagojevich’s speech “he reminded us today in real detail that he is an unusually good liar. He came here without any impunity and lied to every member of this chamber.”
“True character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking,” said Murphy. “He failed the test of character... he is no longer worthy to be governor.”
Their words were at times emotional as they expressed concern over corruption and the loss of public trust that has plagued their state. Concerns rose amongst the Senate at one of Blagojevich’s statements that he could not have done what he did without the help of others.
Senator Dan Duffy expressed this concern. “We have just scratched the surface of corruption. - The governor could not do this without help.”
“This is just the beginning,” he said.
“We have a lot of work to do.”
The trial ended just after 6:00 p.m.
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