Bomke
calling for governor's impeachment
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[May 02, 2008]
SPRINGFIELD -- Sen. Larry Bomke
is calling for the Illinois House to begin the impeachment process
against Gov. Blagojevich. As per the Illinois Constitution, the
House starts the proceedings and the Senate completes them, acting
as the jury.
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"It's time for the House to start the process," Bomke stated. "What
this governor is doing to our great state is awful. It's time to act
now. Our state can't afford to wait any longer. Enough is enough."
Bomke said that an announcement by the governor that he is moving
approximately 150 Illinois Department of Transportation jobs from
Springfield to southern Illinois is just the latest in a long line
of abuses that justify initiating the process.
This closure falls under the State Facilities Closure Act, an
initiative put forward by the Senate Republican Caucus in 2004.
Under this act the governor would not be able to act without
recommendations for closure and public hearings. This is mandatory
for the proposed closure of a facility. It is unclear at this time
whether the governor is planning such proceedings.
"Governor Blagojevich has systematically drained Springfield of
agencies, agency directors and employees. No governor has the right
to move the state capital without authorization from the General
Assembly, but that is exactly what Rod Blagojevich is doing," Bomke
said. "I'm obviously concerned about the employees who have been
displaced by this governor, as well as the impact it has had on
Springfield.
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"But, this goes beyond my own concerns as the senator who represents
Springfield. It's part of a long pattern with Rod Blagojevich. He
consistently exceeds his authority and ignores the laws passed by
the General Assembly -- whether it is moving the state capital,
creating new programs without authorization, awarding grants to
churches in Chicago on a whim … the list goes on and on."
Bomke said that after Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago,
killed an attempt Thursday to allow voters to decide to allow a
constitutional amendment for the recall of elected officials, he is
convinced that impeachment will be the only option remaining.
[Text from file sent on behalf of
Sen.
Larry Bomke by Illinois
Senate Republican staff] |