Thursday, August 19, 2010
 
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Top state officials downplay Blago trial effect

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[August 19, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD -- Top Illinois Democrats are eager to move beyond the shadow cast by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

HardwareOne 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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