 One day after a federal jury convicted Blagojevich of one of 24
corruption charges -- lying to federal agents -- Democrats gathered
in Springfield to help celebrate "Governor's Day" at the Illinois
State Fair with Gov. Pat Quinn and build support for the party.
State lawmakers kicked Blagojevich out of office after he was
arrested by federal agents on numerous corruption charges, including
trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat. Leading Democrats are hoping the
specter of Blagojevich does not sway voters against the party before
the state's general election on Nov. 2.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said the best
policy was to acknowledge Blagojevich's time in office and recognize
that lawmakers took action.
"The Democrats in the legislature recognized the problem that we
had and we moved forward. We initiated the (impeachment) proceedings
and we took them to a conclusion," he said.
Madigan was one of many political leaders speaking at a breakfast
Wednesday morning for local Democratic leaders throughout the state.
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Al Franken, D-Minn., gave
speeches, as did other statewide officials and candidates before the
all-Democrat crowd.
But only a few of the speakers mentioned the former governor and
the verdict rendered Tuesday.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan, daughter of the House speaker,
said the state deserved better than its last two governors being
convicted felons.
"Rod Blagojevich has finally begun to receive his justice, and I
join the rest of us who are devoted to serving the people of
Illinois with the hope that from this corruption can grow a
dedication to true and honest public service," she said.
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George Ryan, Blagojevich's predecessor, served as Illinois
governor from 1999 to 2003. He was convicted of corruption charges
in 2006 and has been in prison since 2007.
Quinn, Blagojevich's running mate in the 2002 and 2006 general
elections, used his former running mate's fiasco to showcase his
qualifications.
"I have worked to reform our government, clean up our government,
make sure we have honest government led by an honest governor. We
have done that, we will always do that, we're never ever going to
give in to those powerful interests that want to put special
interests ahead of the public interest," he said.
However, top Republicans are likely to associate Democrats with
Blagojevich when they head to the state fairgrounds for "Republican
Day" on Thursday.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By KEVIN LEE]
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