Pat Quinn sworn in as Illinois' new governor

Illinois has a new governor, lawyer, onetime consumer advocate, and some say, political gadfly, Patrick Quinn.

Pat Quinn has been sworn in as Illinois' new governor. Quinn took the oath of office moments after the state Senate voted to remove Rod Blagojevich, who was ousted on charges of abuse of power.

Quinn is a strong supporter of our troops. I don't believe he has missed a single funeral of a single Illinois soldier who was killed in action serving our country in the War on Terror. And he did this without an entourage, and without fanfare.

Quinn had served for two terms under Blagojevich, but the two had little in common. In fact, Quinn has said the men have not spoken in more than a year, and Blagojevich said last year that Quinn was not even part of his administration.

Quinn was a running mate with Blagojevich twice, and was a beneficiary of Blago's strongarm fundraising tactics. In 2006, Quinn said Blago was "a person who's honest and one of integrity." He also said of Blagojevich, "I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time."


Quinn's rise to the governor's mansion, although not as amazing as Barack Obama's rise to the presidency, is quite a story. CBS 2 Chicago's Mike Flannery wrote that Quinn has "been a thorn in the side of the state's political establishment for 33 years."

Flannery recalls that Quinn is the only man in history who received a standing "boo-vation," a three minute boo-fest, by members of the Illinois House.

The last dark horse candidate to win the White House, Harding, an avid poker player, explained his rise to the presidency this way. "I drew a pair of deuces and filled."

As did Quinn.

While still lieutenant governor, Quinn promised Illinoisans that he's remove those obnoxious "Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor" signs from the state's toll roads.

Quinn is a 60-year-old former state treasurer and tax attorney. He is best known for his efforts to cut big government and protect the little guy. One of the most pressing issues for him is the state's deficit of more than $3 billion.

Illinois senate votes to oust Governor Blagojevich

Illinois senators stripped Gov. Rod Blagojevich of power Thursday in the final act of a political drama that handed the reins of state government to his estranged lieutenant governor, Pat Quinn, and likely will end Blagojevich's career in politics.

More than two-thirds of the 59 senators, acting as a jury following the two-term Democrat's impeachment on Jan. 9, voted to find him guilty, effectively ousting him from office.

The vote was televised live from the state capitol building in Springfield, Illinois. Blagojevich is the first governor in Illinois history to be impeached and removed from office.

The outcome was never in doubt. In fact, Quinn went to the state Capitol earlier in the day to prepare to be sworn in.

Earlier today, in a long-shot attempt to save his job, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich insisted Thursday he had done nothing wrong and shouldn't be removed from office over unproven criminal charges and complaints about his management decisions.

"You haven't proved a crime, and you can't because it didn't happen,How can you throw a governor out of office with insufficient and incomplete evidence?" Blagojevich said

Blagojevich acknowledged he sometimes mingled campaign fundraising with government decisions or cut administrative corners to achieve his goals. But he maintained his motivation was always to help constituents.

The plea did not appear to move lawmakers. After a lunch break, senator after senator stood up and declared Blagojevich unfit to hold office as they prepared for the historic vote on whether to toss him out.

"The whole world is watching Illinois today, and you know what? I'm tired of it," said Democratic Sen. Terry Link of the Chicago suburb of Waukegan. "You don't know whether to get angry or cry because we've been duped again. You were with the last governor, and we were with this governor," he said, pointing first to Republicans and then to his fellow Democrats.

The governor said he would like to apologize, but couldn't because he didn't do anything wrong. The senators watched attentively. Many leaned forward in their seats. Some took notes.

"It's painful and it's lonely, but I want you to know I never, ever intended to commit a criminal act," Blagojevich said.

Blagojevich acknowledged that the truth about his conduct is "maybe not flattering in some cases," referring to several secretly recorded conversations played earlier in the trial.

The FBI wiretaps appear to show Blagojevich linking his decision on legislation to receiving campaign contributions.

Blagojevich told the state Senate the tapes captured something that "all of us in politics do in order to run campaigns and win elections."

Blagojevich, 52, was arrested last month on a variety of federal corruption charges, including scheming to benefit from appointing Obama's Senate replacement and demanding campaign contributions in exchange for state services.

He was impeached in the House on Jan. 9 for abuse of power. The 13 accusations included plotting to give financial assistance to the Tribune Co. only if members of the Chicago Tribune editorial board were fired, awarding state contracts or permits in exchange for campaign

Biographical information on Blagojevich

NAME — Rod R. Blagojevich.

AGE — 52. Born Dec. 10, 1956.

HOME — Chicago.

FAMILY — Wife, Patricia; two daughters.

EDUCATION — Northwestern University, graduated 1979; Pepperdine University, law degree, 1983.

EXPERIENCE — Elected Illinois governor, 2002; re-elected, 2006; ousted by state Senate, 2009. Served in U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois' 5th district, 1997-2003. Served in Illinois House from Chicago's North Side, 1993-1997. Assistant Cook County state's attorney, prosecuting criminal cases.

QUOTE — "I don't care whether you tape me privately or publicly. I can tell you that whatever I say is always lawful."

Witness for the Prosecution of Blagojevich

The prosecution in the impeachment trial of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is laying out its case against him.

The Senate trial is expected to continuw on Monday, but much of the testimony will come from House lawmakers. From the 13 people,8 person will be called to the witness stand during the trial are state representatives.

In documents Ellis has filed, he indicates he will call the lawmakers to testify on areas such as Blagojevich's alleged abuse of power. Ellis explains office holders will primarily summarize different areas outlined in the House Impeachment Committee's report. That report recommended Blagojevich's impeachment and the House later took that action.

Others scheduled to be called as witnesses include the state's auditor general. Blagojevich was arrested in December for corruption, but maintains he's innocent. Blagojevich and his attorneys are boycotting the trial calling the Senate's rules unfair.

Among the witnesses Ellis is requesting to appear:

Former US Attorney John Scully
Andrew Morriss
Auditor Bill Holland
Rep Chapin Rose
Rep Jack Franks
Rep Constance Howard
Rep David Miller
Rep Gary Hannig
Rep Jack Franks
Rep Jim Durkin
Rep Susana Mendoza
Rep Lou Lang
FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain
JCAR Director Vicki Thomas.

source:city room