Illinois, Impeachment | featured news

It wasn't long after the Illinois state Senate voted unanimously to remove Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office that Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn put his hand on a Bible and took the oath of office to replace him.

The scandal-hit governor of the US state of Illinois tells his impeachment trial he has done nothing wrong.

Secret recordings of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) -- in which the governor discussed dealing with gambling legislation and an alleged interest in a corresponding campaign donation -- were played in public for the first time during his impeachment trial today.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, charged with trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama, said on Friday he will not take part in an impeachment trial that could remove him from office.

The new Illinois House has voted 117-1 to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich with his sister-in-law as the lone "no" vote. Rep. Deborah Mell voted Wednesday not to impeach the two-term governor. Her sister is married to Blagojevich. Wednesday's House action reaffirms the previous impeachment vote. Illinois House Speaker spokesman Steve Brown says the second impeachment vote was needed because of the upcoming Senate trial on whether to remove Blagojevich from office.