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For Immediate Release Springfield, IL – The Illinois House Impeachment Investigative Committee today met for the third time in Springfield to gather information and conduct an investigation into whether or not the House should impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich, according to State Representative Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) a member of the committee. “It is the intent of this committee to be fair, deliberate and impartial - not dragging our feet,” said Tracy. “It is the responsibility of this committee to gather and hear evidence similar to a grand jury. Having said that, we are off to a good start and today heard several hours of testimony from various individuals regarding audits of state agencies and the expansion of health care programs by the Governor. We will return next Monday and Tuesday to Springfield to continue the process of hearing testimony.” Earlier this week, the committee approved the rules by which the committee will operate and lawmakers on the panel heard testimony from the Governor’s attorney, Mr. Ed Gensen. “Unlike a grand jury, this committee has agreed to allow the Governor’s defense attorney to participate in the hearings, to question witnesses and to ask the Chair to subpoena witnesses. We have also extended an invitation to the Governor to speak on his own behalf,” said Tracy. Tracy added that there has been communication with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure the committee does not impede their criminal investigation. Tracy also said she was pleased with the assertion by the Illinois Attorney General that the taxpayers of Illinois should not be responsible for paying the Governor’s legal fees regarding the federal criminal charges, the Illinois Supreme Court Petition and the impeachment proceedings. The committee is made up of 21 House members, 12 Democrats and 9 Republicans and expects to reconvene on Monday at noon. Rep. Tracy’s office can be contacted at 217-233-0833
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