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.

So far, the known reason for our return to Springfield is to deal with the fact that Illinois vacant Senate seat currently could still be filled by an appointment made by a man that has proven himself totally unworthy of that responsibility. The fact that our current governor, even though he has been arrested and is currently out on bail, could still name the next U.S. Senator from Illinois has finally prompted some action by the majority party in Springfield.

There is no question that it is time for the Illinois General Assembly to act regarding our governor and his demonstrated unique blend of arrogance, stupidity and evil. If you have any questions regarding that portrayal, read the entire seventy-six page criminal complaint filed against the governor.

The selection of the next U.S. Senator from Illinois should not be made by this man, period. But, even if his sinister behavior would lead to an appointment, you can rest assured that the person appointed would never be a U.S. Senator. That appointment would be rejected by the U.S. Senate and they do have that power.

Also, keep in mind that even if the General Assembly pushed a bill through in two days to provide for a special election (at an estimated cost of at least $40 million), the Governor would have to sign the bill in order for it to become law. Does anyone really believe that this guy is going to sign that legislation? No way! He has the power to delay action for up to 60 days. A new General Assembly is scheduled to be sworn in on January 14 th and a second bill would need to pass both Houses of the General Assembly and the Governor would have another 60 days. Then he could veto the bill, and if the veto is overridden, we would start the pre-election period of petitions and campaigning and maybe sometime next summer we could have the Senate seat filled. Why should we wait that long?

The first order of business that the Illinois House should take up upon our return is House Resolution 1644. We are set to begin session at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 15 th. After the pledge and the prayer (hopefully a real good one), say at about 3:15 PM, we should begin the process which would remove the current governor from office. HR1644 would begin the process of impeachment which could lead to his removal from office. It would establish a bi-partisan Committee of Ten which would then make a determination as to whether formal impeachment proceedings would begin. Until that resolution is voted on and that committee is established and begins to meet, no other business even begins to compare in importance to the will of the people of Illinois in regards to what the people expect from their government.

For whatever reasons, none of which I can agree with or even fathom, the majority party has decided so far that we can wait to act on impeachment. Speaker Madigan has stated that he is willing to “discuss” impeachment proceedings. It is time to ACT, the people of this state expect and deserve action, not simply “discussion”. I do understand that everyone is entitled to due process and I have always admired Speaker Madigan’s meticulous nature. But this is a time for action, leadership, and courage, and not timidity. The entire nation, and for that matter, the world has its eyes on Illinois right now. What will they see? Will they see stonewalling and excuses or will they see courage and a new tenacity to clean up this cesspool, starting at the top?

Why the stalling and what are we waiting for? Think about those questions. Are our leaders afraid of what might come out in the proceedings? Are there more revelations to be made? If so, let the truth be heard- all of it, and then we deal harshly with any official who has violated the public trust.

I have heard the theory that Speaker Madigan is slowing the process down in order for Attorney General Lisa Madigan (his daughter) to ask the Supreme Court to intervene, therefore giving her some type of political boost in her effort to become governor. I would think that if she has aspirations to be governor, as has been reported, she does not need to be thrown into the middle of this mess and would not have to be if we would do our job in the General Assembly.

It has been mentioned that whatever course we take will set a precedent for any future impeachment proceedings. Okay, so we set the precedent that any elected official with this type of record of self interest, arrogance, and under arrest will swiftly have impeachment proceedings brought against them. I am for that precedent. I am for the precedent that action against corrupt officials will be swift and harsh. This is not a rush to justice. My desire is that we indeed rush to begin the process of justice and move through that process expediently.

There are some that have predicted that this could take a long time. Why? The Committee could be formed Monday, the Committee could meet night and day until a determination is made and if it is determined that impeachment proceedings should begin, that could be done immediately. I have already requested that I be named a member of that Committee and am prepared to work night and day and I am certain nine other members of the House are willing to join me. If an Impeachment Resolution is successful in the House, the Senate could meet immediately and the trail could begin. I think that if we dedicated ourselves to this task, we could provide the people of the State of Illinois a tremendous Christmas present.

There are currently thirty bills sitting on the governor’s desk awaiting action. Do we really want this guy to have any authority to act on these bills? The best way, in my opinion, to move forward is for him to resign (don’t hold your breath) or for the General Assembly to remove him from office. In fact, any chance that he might resign could come from impeachment proceedings.

Finally, we need to remember, for our children and the young people of Illinois, this is can be a “teachable moment”. We need to step up and demonstrate to future generations that government in Illinois is going to change. That is what we should begin next week and work at for as long as it takes. I say we work night and day and not leave Springfield until we have done our jobs. What do you say! Let me know at reddyunit1@aol.com. You can also phone me at 618-563-4128 or 217-558-1040. Check my website, www.peopleforeddy.com, for updates as well.