This week, we're counting down the top 9 stories of 2009 according to the Chicagoist staff.
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Results tagged “impeachment”
Top 9 Of '09 - No. 4: The Blago Saga Continues
"Celebrating" Today's Effing Golden Blagoversary
Has there ever been a year more filled with political turmoil, more highs and lows, more twists and turns for major Illinois public servants than 2009? If you only consider the impeachment of our Governor, Rod Blagojevich, transposed against the inauguration of Illinois Senator Barack Obama as President of the United States, it would already be a banner year of peaks and valleys for the Land of Lincoln. But we all know there's been plenty more along the way than just that. You've gasped along with us at the arrest of our Governor for a myriad of charges, and you shook your head in awe as "I've got this thing and it's fucking golden" entered the lexicon of political and popular culture for years to come. We all tried to comprehend the appointment of Roland Burris. We wondered what was behind the suicide of Christopher Kelly.
m4w/m4m - Me=Awesome Ex-Governor, You=Awesome Defense Attorney (Ravenswood)
Now that he's no longer Governor, Rod Blagojevich can turn his attention to his upcoming federal trial and, more importantly, finding a new lead attorney. Star defender Ed Genson quit Blago's legal team on the heels of Blago's media blitz, which Genson disapproved of. With that, all the ex-gov is left with is "longtime friend" Sheldon Sorosky. The father-son pair of Sam Adams Jr. and Sr. handles some of Blago's impeachment proceedings but have not yet committed to the federal portion of Blago's legal woes. The Sun-Times reports that Rod and Patti met with several prospective attorneys over the weekend in an attempt to fill out the roster.
Adventures in Blago-Sitting: A Farewell To Rod
We wandered over to the ex-Gov's place last night just to take in the circus - and a circus it was. It was our first look at Private Citizen Blagojevich, and after a few minutes of a seemingly humbler Blago, it was right back into the talking points and woe-is-me and I-will-fight. A few things you might have missed:
GONE, BLAGO, GONE
By a vote of 59-0, the Illinois State Senate has voted to remove Rod Blagojevich from the office of Governor. Pat Quinn will now be sworn in in as the 41st Governor of the State of Illinois.
In Case You Were Wondering...
Two hours after they reconvened, the state Senate is still deliberating. Sen. Hendon is rambling on about underwear for state prisoners. Makes sense to us...
Adventures in Blago-sitting: The Blitz Continues
Last night, Governor Rod Blagojevich continued his march through the media, appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live" and pontificating about his innocence. If you used our drinking game, then you were probably passed out about 15 minutes in. Blago dropped some great lines, like calling Ed Genson "the F. Lee Bailey of our time" (as a reader pointed out - we thought F. Lee Bailey was the F. Lee Bailey of our time) and getting the same, "if I knew they were taping..." spiel. Perhaps the greatest part of the evening? Watching Blago's reaction to the late night comedy clips (video below), including when SNL's Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers went off on his hair. While he seemed to enjoy Jason Sudeikis' impression, there was something in his eyes when hearing all the hair jokes that almost made you feel a little sorry for him, that the producers were forcing him to watch the world ridicule him. Almost.
Adventures in Blago-sitting: Inherit The Windbag
Tomorrow at high noon in Springfield, Governor Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial will get underway but the Governor will be nowhere near the State Capitol. Instead, he'll be making the media rounds, hitting up talk shows, a move that cost him the services of superstar defense attorney Ed Genson. At least one local network (ABC 7) has said they'll stream the events in Springfield live tomorrow and suspect more will join. But what of the interviews? If you're close to a TV and what some unintentional comedy to get your week started, you can catch Blago on the following programs:
Adventures in Blago-sitting
It seems like just yesterday we were talking about Blago going all crazy in the press. Because it was. After yesterday's Pearl Harbor comments, the WLS interview, and his crazy press conference, Blago is following up with appearances on Good Morning, America, The View, and Larry King Live, all on Monday. And what does all this publicity get him? Nothing, as far as we're concerned, but it did cost him his high-profile defense attorney Ed Genson who is resigning from Blago's criminal defense team. Genson, upset over Blago's insistence to continue speaking publicly, said, "I never require a client to do what I say. But I do require them to at least listen. I wish the governor good luck and Godspeed."
Blago Legal Team Clarifies Why They Pulled Out Of Impeachment Trial
In the wake of Friday's announcement that attorneys Ed Genson, Sam Adam, Sr., and Sam Adam, Jr. recused themselves from Governor Blagojevich's upcoming impeachment trial, there's been some speculation as to the real reason why the three backed out at the last minute.
Re-Impeached: Second Verse Same As The First
Laws required the newly sworn-in State House to vote again on the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Today's vote wound up at 117-1 in favor of impeachment. Today's lone "no" vote came - unsurprisingly - from freshmen Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago), who just happens to be Blago's sister-in-law. [Previous 'no' voter Milt Patterson is no longer a member of the House.]
Rep. Ken Dunkin Misses Impeachment Vote For Cruise
At last week's historic impeachment vote against Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the Illinois State House of Representatives, the House voted 114-1-1 in favor of impeachment. We already know Milt Patterson was the lone "no" vote and that Elga Jefferies voted "present." But that still leaves two votes unaccounted for.
Extra, Extra
- In case you missed any speeches today, WBEZ has you covered. Listen to Blago's press conference, The Mighty Quinn's response, and Illinois Sec. of State Jesse White's statement.
- Bob Benson, director of internal audit for the City of Chicago, and who came on after the Hired Trucks scandal, has been fired.
- Two Park Ridge teenagers have been arrested over a series of drive-by BB gun shootings that have left two people hospitalized; the teens have cited "boredom" as a motive.
Photo by Katie Scully
The Blagojevich Impeachment Press Conference
We're eager to hear what Blagojevich has to say about this morning's impeachment. Below is a live feed of the presser courtesy of MSNBC, so watch along with us and share your thoughts in the comments.Will he resign? Will he maintain his innocence and his promise to fight-fight-fight? Will he quote more Kipling?
Blagoje-Watch: Day 32
- The AP has a nice, simple run-down that amounts to "The Dummie's Guide to the Blagojevich Charges."
- Blago Attorney Ed Genson is trying to get U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald removed from the case, quoting Fitzy's emotional response at the press conference on Dec. 9 as proof that he's unfit to try the case. But as attorney Patrick Cotter told the Trib, "What, they want a prosecutor who thinks their client isn't guilty?"
- In spite of the request by the committee that recommended impeachment, no one will be hearing those Blago tapes anytime soon. Blago's attorney's have successfully gained more time to look into the matter and an official decision has been put off until January 23.
Image of House Impeachment Committee AP Photo/Seth Perlman
We're mesmerized by the "debate" happening in the state house right now - watch it for yourself here. One of the congressmen noted that today is Nixon's birthday and several others have compared Blago to Tricky Dick. All it takes is 60 votes of "yes" to impeach the governor and send the case to the Senate. It's going to be a long day, so let's do this quick hits style.
Blagoje-Watch: Day 31
Blagojevitch lawyers Sam Adams, Jr. (left) and Ed Genson (right) confer while facing the state's impeachment committee. AP Photo/Seth Perlman
Mr. Burris Goes to Washington
Roland Burris heads off to Capital Hill today and the fireworks have already begun. The secretary of the senate, Nancy Erickson, today rejected Burris’s appointment certification because it didn’t include Secretary of State Jesse White’s signature as required. Without the certification, Burris will be barred from entering the Senate floor. Burris yesterday said he hoped his appointment would go smoothly as he spoke to hundreds gathered at New Covenant Baptist Church. “I am now the junior senator from the state of Illinois,” he said, only this time not referring to himself in the royal we. He added that he hopes critics won’t get in the way of what the “Lord ordained.”
Madigan Implies Impeachment Imminent
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has called Illinois lawmakers back to Springfield with the apparent hopes that a vote on Gov. Blagojevich's impeachment will happen soon. The committee formed to decide whether or not impeachment should be recommended reconvenes on Tuesday and Madigan is asking legislators to be back by Wednesday for a special session that could continue through January 13. Madigan's implication is that a House vote on whether or not to impeach Blago could come as early as the end of next week. Somehow we think this is incredibly optimistic, but what do we know? We are but simple cavemen, unfrozen in your modern time...
Impeachment Committee Reconvenes
After getting in a grueling two-and-a-half days of work in before the Christmas break, the State House committee investigating whether or not the state legislature should impeach embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich is shaking off the egg nog hangovers and getting back to work. Among the items the panel plans to handle are Blago Attorney Ed Genson's expected submission of President-Elect Barack Obama's internal report on the matter as a means of evidence supporting Blago's innocence and awaiting word from U.S. Patrick Fitzgerald as to whether or not they'll get to hear those wiretap tapes.
Obama Staff Subpoenas Sought
Ed Genson, attorney for embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich, has asked the State House Committee investigating Gov. Blagojevich on potential impeachment charges to issue subpoenas to several Obama staff members including Valerie Jarrett and Rahm Emanuel. State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, who is heading the committee, confirmed the request but it doesn't appear very likely it will happen as U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has already turned down a similar request by the committee claiming such interviews could hamper his criminal investigation. U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. is also among those that Genson wants subpoenaed.
Impeachment Panel May Hear Blago Tapes
We should know by tomorrow whether or not U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald will allow the Illinois State House panel investigating Gov. Rod Blagojevich for impeachment to hear the original taped conversations that led to Blago's arrest. The request is, according to a letter from Fitzgerald, "still under active consideration." Fitzgerald also expressed some concern with the panel's investigation, saying that any interviews of Blago aides by the panel could "compromise" his investigation and he continues to refuse naming specific people named in the federal complaint. The panel, meanwhile, has been dismissed for the holiday and will reconvene next Monday. It's been suggested a recommendation of impeachment could come as early as the first week of January, though we're not holding our breath.
Impeachment Committee Drives Down Memory Lane
The impeachment charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich could be deeply rooted in his past blunders rather than the recent allegations he tried selling, among other things, Barack Obama’s open senate seat. That’s because the impeachment panel most likely understands that they won’t receive cooperation from the FBI, so they’re digging deep in the reservoir of past screw-ups committed under Blagojevich’s watch. The committee, which will outline the rules for impeachment, began its work yesterday under the premise that the governor will receive a fair hearing despite the fact the panel is headed by House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who is an ally to Blagojevich nemesis House Speaker Michael Madigan. Currie insists the committee will act in a professional manner. “Frontier justice will not prevail in this proceeding,” Currie told reporters yesterday. “A rush to judgment does not serve the people of the state well.”
How Much Time Would You Spend Impeaching The Governor Today?
Okay, we know that the wheel of justice turns slowly, but when Mike Madigan says that he'll be working every single day except for holidays on the impeachment proceedings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, we really expected more than 60 minutes of real reportable work. The Old Grey Lady is reporting that Federal prosecutors and Blago's defense people sat down for just an hour of hearings before adjourning til' tomorrow morning.
Blagoje-Watch 2008: Day 8
It's been a week since Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption and fraud charges. We aren't surprised so much with the what as with the why. Still, it's a week later and, besides becoming the laughing-stock of the country, not all that much has changed. Gov. Blagojevich is still in charge, he's still signing bills, and - yes - he even still has the power to appoint a senator to replace President-Elect Barack Obama.
The Long, Slow Process Towards Impeachment Begins
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced today he is formally beginning proceedings towards the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The first step will be to appoint a committee that will review the evidence and recommend whether or not Blagojevich should be impeached. Madigan said, "We plan to proceed without delay," and promises the committee will work tirelessly except for taking Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off. So it's going to take weeks to decide whether or not to recommend impeachment? Here we'll help you out: YES. There, let's move on to the next stage.
Blago Approval Rating Sinks Even Lower
A few months ago, we looked at what we assumed to be Governor Rod Blagojevich hitting rock bottom in the approval ratings game. Now comes a new poll that has Blago's approval rate even lower: eight percent to be exact. Our first thought: there are still that many people that actually approve of the job he's doing? We guess the survey phoned the Mell household. This poll was taken by the Chicago-based Glengariff Group and surveyed 600 people; other questions included if Blagojevich should resign (70 percent said yes) and if he should be impeached (73 percent said yes).
