CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected Tuesday to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, CNN affiliates the Chicago Tribune and WLS TV reported, citing sources familiar with the decision.
Blagojevich, who has been the target of an ongoing federal investigation, is to announce his choice at a news conference at 2 p.m. local time.
FBI agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9 after federal prosecutors alleged, among other things, that he had tried to "sell" Obama's former Senate seat. Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing.
Burris does not have to be formally approved by the Senate to be appointed by Blagojevich. But the Senate could refuse to seat Burris or seat him and investigate the manner in which he was appointed, and unseat him if they discover any wrongdoing.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, has threatened not to seat anyone the governor appoints, and has called for the Illinois Democrat to step down.
(updated 1:10 p.m. with additoinal information)
From CNN Politics
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This Senate seat is covered in toxic waste. Anyone would be a fool to accept it from Blagojevich.
IL needs to move forward very quickly with a special election. Obama will need all the Senators in position when he takes over. next month. An empty seat does not help anyone.
It's not enough that we must have an Afro fool in the White House. Must the Senate be populated with them too?
TO–TCM December 30th, 2008 2:01 pm ET
Blago's an idiot, not ballsy. He's a corrupt punk, raised in the corrupt Chicago machine, just like OBama.
****I am Sick and tired of IDIOTS like you ....Trying to link PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA to everything that happens in Chicago .......I don't know why Bush Cheney and Rove are not in PRISON *****Obama has been vetted and wired the feds know how many gray hairs he has # of shoes and colors everything**** SIMPLY CUZ HE IS BLACK !!!!
BURRIS ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE PLAYED IN THE OLDEST RACEIST PLOY THERE IS.
William A. Schaedler from St. Louis your a complete Idiot and the poster child to keep abortion legal in this country. What really funny about your stupid statement is the corrupt idiot calling the shots in ILL is white. Your parents should have never been allow to have children, good Lord your stupid.
Richard Rohde and William A. Schaedler from St. Louis are you 2 Idiots related?? God I hope that's a double wide trailer you live in. When are you too going to be on Springer again?? Idiots
I just heard that ILL will have a special election for the senate seat. This year one Village Idiot name will be added to the ballot. I would love to submit Richard Rohde and William A. Schaedler from St. Louis. To their parents put their helmets on and bring them to the State Captiol at 9:00 tomorrow. The whole world awaits.
richard rohde@ you are a moron. you should stop blogging.
To Proud American. Why don't you learn how to spell. The word you meant to spell is you're. Not your. Your means that someone owns something. When you choose to contract you are it is spelled you're. Thought you could use a spelling lesson.
Aware, there you go again.... your comment is RACISM! Pa lease... look in the mirror.....
I mean seriously....
I cannot think of a more unwelcome honor at this time
burris should not except this.