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April 3, 2009
Blagojevich indicted on corruption charges
CHICAGO — Rod Blagojevich and five associates were indicted Thursday on federal corruption charges for a scheme to enrich the former Illinois governor that prosecutors said began before he took office in 2003. More>>
February 2, 2009
Governor Quinn Gives Central Illinois Hope
WEEK-TV
updated 5:50 p.m. CT, Mon., Feb. 2, 2009
There's a breath of fresh air for State Park supporters now that Rod Blagojevich has been removed as
governor. Since Pat Quinn has taken over the state's top job, he vows to save the State Parks. More>>
February 1, 2009
Impeachment vote ends Blagojevich
era
The following is the Illinois Senate’s document
officially removing former Gov. Rod Blagojevich from
office Thursday: More>>
February 1, 2009
Who will testify for whom?
Rod Blagojevich, U.S. attorney's office likely want same witnesses on their sides
By David Heinzmann and Jeff Coen - Tribune reporters
February 1, 2009
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich last week repeatedly
attacked the fairness of his impeachment trial, complaining
he couldn't call witnesses to buttress his version of events.
But those witnesses are the insiders prosecutors will lean on
to try to convict the former governor of conspiring to trade
campaign contributions for state jobs, contracts and the
U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. More>>
January 31, 2009
Will Blagojevich's ouster spur change in Illinois?
By MONICA DAVEY, New York Times
January 31, 2009
CHICAGO - The removal of Rod Blagojevich as governor of Illinois was cause for
celebration among people who had come to view him as a state humiliation, an oddity and,
most of all, a symbol of corruption. More>>
January 31, 2009
No Unemployment Money For Blagojevich
At the jam session ex-governor Rod Blagojevich held at his house Thursday
night after being removed from office, he said, "There are tens of thousands of
people all across America, just like me who are losing their jobs or lost their
jobs." Well, those people were laid off, not fired, Rod. Big difference. But this
raised the interesting question of whether or not Blago is eligible for
unemployment benefits. WBEZ spoke with Greg Rivara, spokesman for the
Illinois Department of Employment Security, who are having enough problems
these days without dealing with Blago.
Rivara says, "People are qualified for unemployment insurance if they lose
their job through no fault of their own, and they are looking for gainful
employment." Of course, if you get "discharged for cause," you're not eligible
to collect. So does impeachment count as such? "I don’t know the answer to
that question," said Rivara. "That question has never been considered. It’s a
road we’ve never had to travel."
It's another rule, however, that disqualifies Blago from getting the benefits:
because politicians don't contribute portions of their wages to unemployment.
Rivara confirms: "No elected official would be eligible to qualify for
unemployment insurance based upon the wages that they earn in their official capacity." Sorry, Rod. We're sure you
can use that charm of yours to scare up some nice tips waiting tables. [WBEZ]
By Marcus Gilmer in New s on January 31, 2009 1:30 PM
“I am thankful that the people of Illinois are getting a new start today,” Eddy said. “Hopefully this ugly era of self service over public service in Illinois government has come to a permanent end,” he said. More>>
CHICAGO, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was removed from office on Thursday after the state Senate unanimously convicted him on impeachment charges, including an accusation he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.
The Illinois Senate, acting as a jury, voted 59-0 to oust the second-term Democrat immediately. The lawmakers also voted by the same margin to bar him from ever holding public office again in America's fifth most populous state. More>>
January 29, 2009
Roger Eddy speaks about the Impeachment
The Senate adjourned at 5:04 p.m. and will return Wednesday at 9:15 a.m.
Earlier senators heard state Rep. Chapin Rose recount allegations of wrongdoing against Blagojevich that were made in guilty pleas and federal trial testimony by Ali Ata, a former state official and campaign contributor, and Joseph Cari, a former national Democratic fundraiser. More>>
January 23, 2009
Blagojevich Sued for Derailing Crucial Education Board
Last update: 12:10 p.m. EST Jan. 22, 2009
CHICAGO, Jan 22, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Refusal to Appoint Board Members is Undermining Effort to Adequately Fund Schools, Advocates Charge
With his impeachment trial scheduled to begin next week, Gov. Rod Blagojevich faced a new legal turmoil Thursday when education advocates sued him for incapacitating a state board responsible for helping the legislature determine school funding levels. More>>
January 14, 2009
109th District State Representative Roger Eddy says the state has a lot of problems to take care of and a lot of important work to be done. Click Speaker Below to hear Roger.
January 10, 2009
"It took handcuffs on the governor to convince people that something needed to be done," said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville. "The governor is a unique combination of stupidity, arrogance and evil."House impeaches Blagojevich
By Kurt Erickson and Jason Nevel, The Southern Springfield Bureau
Friday, January 9, 2009 11:37 PM CST
SPRINGFIELD - One month to the day after Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges, the Illinois House voted overwhelmingly Friday to impeach the Chicago Democrat. More>>
Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes a statement at a news conference Friday in Chicago. (AP)
January 9, 2009, 11am CST
Eddy Votes to Impeach Blagojevich
Springfield, IL …Following a unanimous recommendation by the Illinois House Special Investigative Committee, State Representative Roger Eddy (R – Hutsonville) voted to support articles of impeachment against Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich Friday morning.
Read complete press release>>
January 9, 2008, 10:30am CST
-- Gov. Blagojevich impeached by the Illinois House of Representatives.
Impeachment is recommended for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The committee investigating Blagojevich voted Thursday night to recommend the Illinois House of Representatives impeach Governor Blagojevich.The committee says it has evidence that Blagojevich tried to trade "official acts" for campaign contributions. That's in addition to the federal corruption charges he faces of trying to sell Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.Blagojevich recently appointed Roland Burris to the Senate. Burris testified Thursday in front of the impeachment committee. "I can before this committee state that there was nothing legal, personal or political exchanged for my appointment to this seat," said Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee (D) Roland Burris.A Wabash Valley native has been serving on the impeachment committee and spoke with us after the vote to recommend impeachment and Burris' testimony."At his word, under oath, there would appear to be no impropriety that took place in that appointment... and he probably will become the Senator from Illinois," Ill. State Rep. Roger Eddy (R - Hutsonville) said, "The General Assembly had the opportunity three weeks ago when we met after the Governor's arrest to pass legislation that would have provided for a special election, but the Democratic majority in Illinois decided that the vote of the people wasn't what needed to take place and it's resulted in the Governor being able to make this appointment."The U.S. Senate has yet to approve Burris to be a senator.
The Illinois House of Representatives could vote Friday on whether to go through with the recommendation to impeach. The Illinois Senate would then decide whether to remove Blagojevich from office.
Printable articleJanuary 8, 2009
The House Special Investigative Committee unanimously voted Thursday to recommend the Illinois House impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich based on allegations that he abused his powers and sold his office to enrich himself. The vote was 21-0 and a vote by the full House to send articles of impeachment to the Illinois Senate is expected on Friday.The committee based its vote on a lengthy report detailing a litany of alleged abuses of the governor's power. The list includes Blagojevich expanding health care without legislative approval, spending state money on useless flu vaccines, refusing to release federal subpoenas and other government information to the public, widespread hiring abuses and pay-to-play activities in which big contributors often wound up with hefty state contracts.Attached are comments from Rep. Roger Eddy who in comments before the vote said “we are a government of laws and not of men.”
First of all, I want to take a second to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I truly hope that 2009 is the best year ever for you and your family. With the economic downturn the United States experienced in 2008 and the terrible lack of leadership here in Illinois that we have experienced for quite some time, let’s all hope that 2009 is a much better year. I have a great deal of faith that it will be. More>>
January 2, 2009
Blagojevich impeachment vote could come Thursday
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House could vote to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich as early as next Thursday. More>>
December 30, 2008
'We're fighting shadows'Blagojevich's lawyer Ed Genson bemoans inability to call witnessesBy Ray Long and Jeff Coen, Tribune reporters, 1:27 AM CST, December 30, 2008SPRINGFIELD — Heading toward a decision on the ultimate political sanction, members of a House impeachment committee Monday rejected complaints by Gov. Rod Blagojevich's attorney that he was battling "shadows" in his fight to keep the disgraced governor in office. More>>
December 26, 2008
Impeachment Recommendation Could Come Next Week
Reported by: Patrick Fazio
Friday, Dec 26, 2008 @05:00pm EST
The Illinois House Committee investigating whether to recommend impeaching Governor Rod Blagojevich could make a decision next week. More>>
December 26, 2008
Blagojevich Impeachment Panel Split on Subpoena for Obama Aides
By Joe Carroll
Dec. 26 (Bloomberg) -- An Illinois panel considering the impeachment of Governor Rod Blagojevich is divided over whether to subpoena aides of President-elect Barack Obama and a U.S. congressman. More>>
December 25, 2008
Ill. Rep: Gov. Should Be Impeached
Reported by: Patrick Fazio
Thursday, Dec 25, 2008 @05:00pm EST
The attorney for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich still insists it's illegal for the Illinois House Committee to consider impeachment. More>>
December 24, 2008
Lawmaker: Still A Case Against Governor
Reported by: Patrick Fazio
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 @03:25pm EST
The Illinois House Impeachment Committee's request to interview witnesses on wiretaps talking to Governor Rod Blagojevich is denied. More>>
December 17, 2008
Republicans want more seats on Blagojevich impeachment committee USA TODAY's Judy Keen reports that a committee considering the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich ran into objections today from its Republican members and the governor's defense lawyer. The committee, authorized by a unanimous vote of the House of Representatives, is considering whether to recommend that Blagojevich be removed from office after his arrest last week on federal conspiracy and bribery charges. Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly and have a 12-9 advantage on the committee. As today's hearing began, Republicans complained that there should be an equal number of members from each party. They also protested rules that allow only the panel's chairwoman, Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, both Democrats, to authorize subpoenas. "There is a clear attempt to control what individuals and what papers and evidence may be before this committee and I find that disappointing," Rep. Roger Eddy, a Republican, says. All nine Republicans voted against adopting the committee rules; all 12 Democrats voted in favor. Ed Genson, the Democratic governor's lawyer, also lost his bids to remove three members of the committee for saying yesterday that they believe the governor should be impeached, to be given more time to prepare his defense case and to prevent the 76-page criminal complaint released last week by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald from being entered as evidence.
Posted by Mike Carney at 01:00 PM/ET, December 17, 2008.
December 15, 2008
Eddy Pleased With Progress on Impeachment Proceedings
Springfield….The Illinois House of Representatives passed HR 1650 Monday, creating a committee that will investigate cause to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich. State Representative Roger Eddy (R – Hutsonville) was a co-sponsor of the resolution that establishes a committee of 21 House members, made up of 12 Democrats and 9 Republicans, that will meet to investigate grounds for impeaching the Governor. More>>
Click here and read the entire federal complaint against the governor word for word.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, EASTERN DIVISION
| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH, and JOHN HARRIS |
UNDER SEAL
|
December 11, 2008
IMPECHMENT PETITION Representative Roger Eddy
IL House District 109
In light of the serious federal criminal charges filed against Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, I am currently co-sponsoring House Resolution 1644 calling for impeachment proceedings to begin immediately against Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.
Please join me in demanding that Speaker Michael Madigan immediately initiate impeachment hearings in the Illinois House by adding your name to the petition. By completing and submitting this form, your name will be added to our petition.
Special Edition, December 11 th, 2008- Blagojevich Must Resign or be Removed
In my last column, I mentioned that if we were to be called back into session that I would update you regarding the reasons for the session and issues that we would be facing. I thought it was possible that we might be meeting to address issues related to the budget and fiscal crisis that we face here in Illinois. Instead, we are being called into session on Monday and Tuesday, December 15 th and 16 th to deal with the most scandal-laced administration in the history of Illinois, and perhaps the entire United States.
Full article
December 10, 2008
Blagojevich arrest: Illinois residents, appalled, angered, want change
By Sue Loughlin
The Tribune-Star
PARIS, Ill. — Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s arrest on federal corruption charges Tuesday was the talk of the town in Paris, Ill.
Full story
December 10, 2008
More Blagojevich Reactions
Reported by: Katie Shane
Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 @05:32pm EST
While the controversy around Rod Blagojevich continues, Illinois lawmakers are calling for the Governor to step down from office.
Full story
Send a message to Roger Eddy
December 10, 2008
HR1644 LRB095 23148 RCE 53787 r
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Allegations have been raised regarding the
3 conduct of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich; and
4 WHEREAS, Section 14 of Article IV of the Illinois
5 Constitution provides that the House of Representatives has the
6 sole power to conduct legislative investigations to determine
7 the existence of cause for impeachment and,
Read full resolution
December 10, 2008
Area legislators urge Blagojevich to resign
By GARY HENRY
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 5:09 PM CST
The arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich early this morning by federal authorities creates a conundrum. Area legislators Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) and Rep Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said despite the arrest, Blagojevich remains the governor and retains all of the responsibilities and legal authorities that accompany the chief executive. “He is still the governor, even if he is in custody,” said Eddy.
Full story from the Paris Beacon
December 9, 2008
CAPITOL FAX
by Rich Miller Voice 217.529.6811 Fax 312.896.9456
thecapitolfaxblog.com capitolfax@aol.com
TUESDAY, Dec. 9, 2008 STATEMENT FROM US ATTORNEY BLAGOJEVICH, HARRIS ARRESTED From the US attorney's office... CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges alleging that they and others are engaging in ongoing criminal activity .
Read Full Statement from US Attorney>> Audio comments from 109th District State Representative Roger Eddy on the situation.
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