[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/08/art.blagopt0108.gi.jpg caption="A committee of Illinois legislators recommended Thursday that the state's governor be impeached."]CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - UPDATE: An Illinois General Assembly investigative committee has written a draft report recommending that the House of Representatives impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The committee says in a report on its Web site that "the totality of the evidence warrants the impeachment of the governor for cause."
The committee, which consists of 21 House members, may vote Thursday on whether to adopt the draft report and recommend impeachment, said Mike Weir, a spokesman for speaker's office in the Illinois House of Representatives.
If the committee votes to recommend impeachment, the full House would vote on whether to impeach the governor.
Roland Burris, the governor's pick to serve in the U.S. Senate seat, is scheduled to testify before the committee on Thursday afternoon.
FBI agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9 after federal prosecutors alleged, among other things, that he had tried to sell the Senate seat that President-elect Barack Obama has vacated.
Blagojevich denies wrongdoing and has ignored calls to resign.
What about Richardson? Shouldn't we be having all this for him too? Shouldn't the lt gov in New Mexico be trying to force Richardson out? The double standard here reveals what's really happening. All of this is a smokescreen to cover up what is really going on. What that is will be for you to decide. It really bothers me that Quinn is considered a credible source to discredit the man he is trying desperately to replace with a father daughter team behind him with the Madigans. Investigate Blago yes, and investigate all of the others and their conflicts of interest too. We can use this opportunity to clean house.
I am a Moderate Independent... (Though, I lean slightly liberal democrat). I only have to say...
THANK YOU GOD
The trial of a criminal case asks the question of whether the accused is guilty or not based upon the evidence. The trial of a bill of impeachment asks the question of whether the person should be removed from office. They are two separate (but related) matters.
Theoretically, Blagojevich could be impeached and removed by the state legislature, then subsequently found not guilty by a federal court of the crimes alleged by the federal prosecutor. Or, the other way around, and both decisions would stand.
Based on what... an allegation?? Come on people. Yes, he is a big eye sore but there is in fact still no indictment.
DUH!
How can some compare this man to Clinton's case? This man has foul mouth, committed his wrong doings which were part of politics...Clinton's case was something which is not part of politics, it is part of private life. Did not harm people, the world.