Replacing the Corrupt with the Progressive.
The Lt. Governor of Illinois is Patrick Quinn. I have only read and heard good things about him so far. In his just completed news conference, he has urged Governor Blagojevich to either resign or step aside until this matter is settled. Illinois apparently does allow a governor to step aside like the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution, so that answers your question, conservative Dana.
Quinn also suggested that the Legislature change the law to force a special election to fill Obama’s Senate seat, much like Senator Dick Durbin did earlier today.
Here is some further information from the next Governor of Illinois.
Jeffrey Toobin of CNN says that, while he believes that the Blagovator could still make the appointment, the US Senate would and could refuse to seat the appointee.
According to TPM,Ill. AG Lisa Madigan said she didn’t know whether the Governor could legally appoint while under indictment, but that an opinion would be forthcoming soon.
I would be surprised if there is a clause in Illinois law, but then again it is Illinois, the land of Lincoln and indicted governors.
They should take another lesson from Alaska. The governor no longer has sole discretion. They just go straight into a special election in 90 days unless their is a short time left in the term.
David…
Do you know why Alaska has that law allowing for a special election 90 days after the resignation? It is a recent change. The law was changed because of corrupt Republican Governor Frank Murkowski’s appointing his daughter Lisa to his Senate seat.