Bomke calling for governor's impeachment

[May 03, 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.

"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.

"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]