Illinois General Assembly

Rep. Jil Tracy: Senate Trial Convicts Governor

For Immediate Release
January 30, 2009
Contact Rep. Jil Tracy
(217) 223-0833

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jil Tracy (R-Mt.Sterling) feels the Senate did the right thing by voting to convict the Governor and removing him from office.  Governor Rod Blagojevich was charged with abusing the power of the Governor’s office and has been brought up on federal corruption charges for allegedly trying to sell President Obamas Senate seat.  The Senate voted unanimously to convict Governor Blagojevich following a week-long impeachment trial under the leadership of Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald.

The Senate heard testimony from FBI agent Daniel Cain regarding the criminal affidavit as well as the positive voice identification of Governor Blagojevich on the recorded phone calls.  The Senate also listened to tape recordings of the Governor discussing a pay-to-play scheme involving horse racing laws, in exchange for a campaign contribution. 

“This Governor has failed the people of Illinois and the Senate did what they had to do today,” Rep. Tracy said.  Rod Blagojevich has spent the last few days in New York appearing on numerous talk shows.  “At the final hour he decided to show up and continue his theatrics after appearing on every talk show that would allow him to sit on their stage or talk into their microphone over the weekend.  I know I was embarrassed and many people in my District have told me that they were too,” said Rep. Tracy

Rep. Tracy feels the process was fair and pointed out that both the Governor and the Senate had ample opportunity to make their case and call specific witnesses that would not hinder the federal criminal investigation.  

“The future is all we need to focus on now.  Future ethics legislation to try and prohibit something like this from happening again and focusing on our States budget so our future generations are not hindered by recent mistakes and inaction,” Rep. Tracy said.

The Illinois Constitution provides no avenue for Blagojevich to appeal an impeachment conviction.