Blagojevich's Removal Sought As Top Aide Quits
Deborah Tedford, NPR
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Friday asked the state Supreme Court to temporarily remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich, saying the public corruption charges against him have effectively rendered him "disabled" and unable to serve.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the state Supreme Court to temporarily remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich, because the public corruption charges against him have rendered him unable to serve. (Photo: Seth Perlman / AP)
Also Friday, John Harris, Blagojevich's chief of staff, who also faces corruption charges, resigned.
At a news conference in Chicago, Madigan said a provision of state law allows her to go to the Illinois Supreme Court to ask for a temporary restraining order to remove Blagojevich. Madigan said she asked that Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn immediately be allowed to serve as acting governor so that the state can continue to conduct business.
"We think it's very clear he is incapable of serving," Madigan said, referring to Blagojevich. She said a provision of state law allows her to seek assistance from the state's highest court.
Blagojevich, 52, was arrested Tuesday on federal bribery and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors said he used his office for financial and political gain in the course of doing the state's business.
Blagojevich has denied the charges of wrongdoing and has continued to go to work each day since the news broke. The governor's attorney, Sheldon Sorosky, said Tuesday he knew of no plans for Blagojevich to resign.
On Friday, Blagojevich visited with several ministers, who went to the governor's home to pray with him. One of the ministers said Blagojevich vowed that he would be vindicated.
In announcing the charges earlier this week, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Blagojevich embarked on a "political corruption crime spree," participating in a number of schemes that included efforts to sell an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for cash, campaign contributions, a cabinet post or an ambassadorship.
Illinois law allows the governor to fill Obama's seat, but Senate Democrats have warned Blagojevich not to name a replacement.
Blagojevich aide Harris was also named in the federal complaint. The two are charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.
They are also charged with bribery in a scheme to pressure the Tribune Co. to fire several members of the Chicago Tribune editorial board in exchange for state assistance in the purchase of Wrigley Field. The Tribune Co. owns the historic ballpark and was attempting to negotiate its sale to the Illinois Finance Authority.