Illinois lawmakers today voted unanimously to impeach the scandal-ridden governor Rod Blagojevich, who is alleged to have tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.The Illinois House of Representatives voted 114 to one to start the impeachment process next week.The process involves the state senate basically conducting a trial, which could take about three weeks."It's our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that's become Illinois government," said Jack Franks, one of the Democrats who voted for impeachment.A spokesman for Blagojevich insisted he will not resign. Some lawmakers had expressed hope that, faced with impeachment, he might opt to leave voluntarily.
Illinois lawmakers today voted unanimously to impeach the scandal-ridden governor Rod Blagojevich, who is alleged to have tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.
The Illinois House of Representatives voted 114 to one to start the impeachment process next week.
The process involves the state senate basically conducting a trial, which could take about three weeks.
"It's our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that's become Illinois government," said Jack Franks, one of the Democrats who voted for impeachment.
A spokesman for Blagojevich insisted he will not resign. Some lawmakers had expressed hope that, faced with impeachment, he might opt to leave voluntarily.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Illinois House of Representatives impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday for abuse of power, including a charge that he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat. The Democratic-controlled House voted 114 to one, with another legislator voting present, to impeach the two-term Democrat. That clears the way for a trial in the state Senate, where conviction by more than two-thirds of its members would result in his removal from office.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Illinois House of Representatives impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday for abuse of power, including a charge that he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.
The Democratic-controlled House voted 114 to one, with another legislator voting present, to impeach the two-term Democrat. That clears the way for a trial in the state Senate, where conviction by more than two-thirds of its members would result in his removal from office.
