Illinois General Assembly

Rep. Jil Tracy Contends Blagojevich Appointee Burris
Withheld Information from Impeachment Panel

For Immediate Release
February 2009

Contact Doug Wilson (dwilson@whig.com)
Herald-Whig Senior Writer
(217) 221-3372

State Rep. Jil Tracy repeatedly asked Roland Burris to tell the Illinois House impeachment panel about any contact he had with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his advisers or friends.

On. Jan. 8, Burris, who had been appointed days earlier to the U.S. Senate by Blagojevich, told legislators only about a conversation with Blagojevich insider Lon Monk.

Now Burris admits he had contact with Blagojevich's brother and other advisers and pledged to help the now ousted governor raise campaign donations.

The new revelations have led to calls for Burris to resign. Some Illinois officials are calling for perjury charges to be brought against him.

"I have made an effort to be as transparent as I can, and I'm waiting to take a further step as I have nothing to hide," Burris told The Associated Press.

The Burris revelations have been coming out in spurts.

Several days ago, Burris said Robert Blagojevich spoke with him about his interest in being appointed to the U.S. Senate. When reporters asked further questions, Burris said there was no discussion of campaign donations or other promises of assistance for Blagojevich.

On Tuesday, Burris told reporters he tried to put on a fundraiser for Blagojevich after talking to Robert Blagojevich. Even though Burris said he raised no money, the issue has led to calls for Burris to leave the Senate.

Rod Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 and charged with political corruption, including attempts to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Barack Obama's election as president. Blagojevich was caught on federal wiretaps apparently seeking campaign donations or jobs and favors in return for his appointment of a new senator.

Blagojevich was impeached by the Illinois House on Jan. 9 and was unanimously convicted by the Illinois Senate on Jan. 29. Blagojevich still faces criminal charges.

Tracy, whose questions Burris failed to fully answer last month, would like to see a special election to fill the Senate vacancy. She stopped short of saying Burris intentionally lied.

"Either he is confused or he is trying to evade," Tracy said. "He was having trouble answering any of our questions. He just didn't seem like he could comprehend some of the things that we were asking him."

Attorney General Lisa Madigan has encouraged the Sangamon County state's attorney to consider whether Burris perjured himself during his testimony at the House committee hearing.

Tracy also is concerned that Illinois House Democrats helped provide cover for Burris on the day he testified.

"The atmosphere that day was different. Democratic members interrupted us (Republican questioners) several times," Tracy said.

That did not keep Tracy from asking six times who Burris spoke with concerning the Senate appointment.

"He knew what we were searching for, and he had the information," Tracy said.

The Chicago Tribune called for Burris to resign in an editorial today. The Washington Post and a host of other newspapers have taken similar stances, saying Burris has lost his credibility with the people of Illinois.

State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, hopes the Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate will reconsider whether Burris should face an ethics review.

"I don't see how they can really avoid it at this point with the ever-changing story of Sen. Burris," Franks told The Associated Press.