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Special Session in Springfield Today Deals with Blago, While Electoral College Deals with Obama
For more than one reason, this is a historic day at the State Capitol.

Just a few hours after Illinois' Electoral College meets to officially cast ballots for Barack Obama for president, the Illinois House and Senate will convene to talk about removing Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office -- or, at least, seriously limiting his powers.

Blagojevich was arrested last week and accused of, among other things, trying to sell Obama's former Senate seat for bribes. But the governor has not resigned. Lawmakers want to try to stop him from appointing a new senator, and there is also talk of impeachment. How soon that talk moves to a formal level remains to be seen, but House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) said last week he is willing to discuss the suggestions of House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) to begin looking into it.

At least one bill scheduled to come before a House committee would try to take the Senate appointment process away from the governor. One option some favor is a special election -- an expensive and lengthy process that allows the risk that a Republican might win.

(Illinois Radio Network)
12 15 08 by Newsroom
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