Impeachment?
Thursday, Apr 24, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yes, there is quite a lot of talk about impeachment these days among Statehouse denizens, but I will beieve it when I see it…
The impeachment drumbeat at the Statehouse grew louder Wednesday, a day after the blockbuster accusation by a former state official that he got his state job after pouring money into Gov. Blagojevich’s campaign fund — including a $25,000 check in an envelope he presented to the governor.
Two House Democrats said discussions on a possible impeachment resolution targeting Blagojevich accelerated after Tuesday’s disclosure by Ali Ata, whom the governor appointed to a $127,000-a-year post running the Illinois Finance Authority. In his surprise guilty plea to federal corruption charges, Ata said he gave two $25,000 campaign contributions to the governor and then got Blagojevich’s assurance of landing a state job in which Ata “could make some money.” Ata is expected to testify against indicted former Blagojevich fund-raiser Tony Rezko.
State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) and Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) said a decision on impeachment could come within two weeks.
“We now find ourselves in a very different environment, where an individual has pled guilty to being a co-conspirator in transactions involving the governor,” Fritchey said. “Can state government be effectively led by a governor who is apparently at the center of some very significant allegations of wrongdoing?”
* The Illinois Constitution doesn’t mandate an actual reason for impeachment, like the US Constitution does. There is no “high crimes and misdemeanors” language. All that is required for impeachment is a vote of the majority of those elected…
SECTION 14. IMPEACHMENT
The House of Representatives has the sole power to conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial officers. Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose, Senators shall be upon oath, or affirmation, to do justice according to law. If the Governor is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators elected. Judgment shall not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification to hold any public office of this State. An impeached officer,
whether convicted or acquitted, shall be liable to prosecution, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.
You should have a reason, obviously, particularly since there has to be a trial in the Senate. Removing a governor simply because a majority of elected House members thought it was a good idea probably wouldn’t fly. Then again, Blagojevich is so unpopular in and out of the Statehouse, the vote might still be close.
…Adding… I also kinda doubt think that Speaker Madigan wants to give Pat Quinn a leg up on the 2010 gubernatorial primary.
* Meanwhile, I don’t think this will work…
Illinois legislators are going to reach agreement on a long-stalled plan to crack down on “pay-to-play” politics by next week, or not at all, backers of the proposal predicted Wednesday.
“We need to see some kind of an announcement of an agreement within the next week,” said Cynthia Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, which has spent more than a year pushing a proposal to ban campaign donations from state contractors to the elected officials who control their contracts.
“Should this fall apart … we will get out there publicly” and argue that legislators have acted in bad faith on the issue, Canary said.
Since the Senate so brazenly refused to move the recall proposal to the floor, despite overwhelming popular support and tons of pressure from newspaper editorial boards, I seriously doubt that threats from ICPR will have any impact whatsoever.
The problem here is that the House and Senate now have competing bills. It’s the old “criss-cross” maneuver where the House sends the Senate a bill and the Senate sends the House a similar bill, then neither one makes it to the governor’s desk.
“If there’s not an agreement [between the House and Senate] by the beginning of next week, I think that will raise some red flags,” Fritchey said.
My unsolicited advice to Fritchey and the goo-goos: If the Senate approves its own bill and sends it to the House, just pass it and get this over with. It doesn’t appear to be all that different than the House version, and if that’s the case, just do it. All anyone will really be arguing about is credit for getting something done. Go beyond that. Pass the bill.
- Ghost - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:19 am:
Assuming this is more then just talk; if the house actually does its part can Jones block it on the Senate side by not calling it up?
If so it seems they need to have some negotitations with Jones to keep this from being DOA in the Senate. Then again they could drop it in Jones lap and see if he want to stick his neck out.
- grand old partisan - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:30 am:
The Illinois Constitution says that “Impeachments SHALL be tried in the Senate.” If the House presents a bill of impeachment to the Senate, I think it’s pretty clear that they are constitutionally obligated to conduct a trial, which it should be noted, is presided by the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court, and not Jones. If Jones did try to block the trial from happening, Madigan could also borrow a book from Blago’s playbook and bring Jones to court, and have the judiciary compel him to allow the trial to proceed.
- OneMan - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:33 am:
If it comes to a trial one question does come to mind. Is the governor as much of a Bears fan as a Cubs fan? If so he could at least take some comfort in the trial being presided over by a punter.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:38 am:
OneMan:
Actually a placekicker. Not sure if Kicker Bob ever punted in an NFL game.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:43 am:
http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=THOMABOB03
No punts.
- Ghost - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:44 am:
He has punted a lot in his current job
- Rep. John Fritchey - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:44 am:
GOP,
While the Constitution says that the Senate shall have a trial, it doesn’t specify when they have to have it. As such, it does set up a potential, and unfortunate showdown.
Let me be very clear and state a couple of things that were not published in the papers today. Despite my differences with the Governor, I have been a steadfast opponent of an impeachment resolution over the last couple years, consistently trying to talk some of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle off of the impeachment ledge. Impeachment should not be used as a tool to settle policy or philosophical differences. It is a black eye on the institution which would remain forever. Additionally, having been around for the Heiple impeachment proceedings, I can tell you that the proceedings pretty much suck all of the air out of capital, and could make it that much more difficult to accomplish the tasks which we have before us in Springfield.
That being said, the recent events are of a very different tenor than policy differences and are approaching a point where an impeachment resolution may be more of an obligation than a choice. I am very mindful of the ramifications of such an action, which is why it is something that I think should be done with great reluctance and absolutely zero glee. I, along with a number of colleagues, am continuing to try to evaluate the issue in light of the bigger picture and make whatever decision is prudent.
- blagoman - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:44 am:
The General Assembly and the Governor can settle the budget already.
Let’s throw gasoline on the fire.
At least Impeachment could be a source of new revenue saling tickets to the event.
Pay for view.
But it would be a joke just like the Clinton Impeachment.
It is time for folks to vote for a ConCon.
Maybe we should term limits with just one 6 year term for constitutional offices?
Limit the amount of time one can serve as Preident of the Senate or Speaker of the House.
- True Observer - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:49 am:
What are we going to do?
We’re going to have to cut back on the hired help.
What do you mean?
Look, when they put in that Impeachment Bill we’re going to have to give them something.
But what about all the promises we’ve already made for the commissions, boards and appointments?
What do you expect me to do when they put in the biggest FETCHER BILL of all time.
I see your point. I’ll get out the list.
- WayDumberThanYouThink - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:51 am:
We will never have a conversation with the Senate President about blocking an impeachment trial
Never, ever, never……
O.K. Maybe it came for a fefw seconds while we were talking the need for a new Astro Physics/Slot Machine Repair Dept. at the University of Emil.
- JohnR - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:53 am:
Impeachment would be setting a dangerous trend, I agree. Good point, too, on it sucking ALL the air out of the Capitol - you thought last summer was long? Wait until they get stuck in a trial. Yikes.
I doubt Madigan would go for impeachment on this - it sets the bar pretty low. He wouldn’t set the bar so low with Lisa coming up to bat.
All it would take would be one campaign contributor getting a state post, and she would be lined up, too.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:53 am:
The grounds for impeachment and recall are deliberately vague. It is too difficult for a political body to write detailed instructions regarding what and when an elected official is to be removed. If it was attempted, most likely we wouldn’t have reached an agreement to include impeachment into the constitution. You can ask Franks how difficult it is to even get a recall bill through a political body like the GA.
Only a vague description regarding who and how could end up in a constitution.
But that shouldn’t deter it’s use. By leaving impeachment vague, the constitutional writers allowed future situations to make these decisions. So yes, if an elected official is just damn unpopular with the GA, he/she could be impeached. But that possibility has always been highly unlikely. In a political world a weak incumbant is keeping an elected office’s seat warm, and makes it easy to defeat them. Removing them via impeachment may put a stronger incumbant in power, to the detriment of the opposing party. So these things balance out, keeping incumbants safe, even when they stink. It takes an extraordinary set of circumstances to prompt politicians to start impeachment proceedings instead of waiting for the next election.
I believe we have these extraordinary circumstances at this time.
Blagojevich was just re-elected. His term will not expire until 2010. That is too long to wait.
He is incompetent. He is uncooperative. He have not shown an ability to do his job since 2003. I believe that alone is sufficient grounds to impeach him. When you add the criminal investigations, that is justifying impeachment further.
Yes, Ata’s testimony makes it easier politically to remove Blagojevich. And this is needed to knock frightened Illinois pols off the fence of indifference and against Blagojevich. But there has been sufficient reasons to consider impeaching Rod Blagojevich before Mr. Fitzgerald began asking questions.
I believe there will be little retribution if articles of impeachment against Blagojevich fails. I believe there will be a lot of great political payoff for those who lead the charge. Even if Blagojevich survives an impeachment trial, I do not see negative payback for those who take a stand and take Blagojevich down.
A slow summer roasting of an extremely unpopular governor could be the perfect political stunt to survive re-election in November for Democrats.
- Wumpus - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:54 am:
Question, with Emil aligning himself so closely with an unpopular governor, is there a way he coul dlose his leadership role? Would they do that to him?
- Give me a break! - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:55 am:
If anyone out there thinks that Blagojevich didn’t exchange contributions for state jobs (too numerous to count), they are has luny as Blagojevich.
Just delve into the hiring practices of I.D.O.T. and the Illinois Tollway the last six years, it’s staggering.
- Rep. John Fritchey - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:56 am:
With respect to HB1 -
Rich, there are in fact some significant differences between HB1 and the proposed Senate language, and the Senate language in its present form is unacceptable. And while the Senate has taken zero action on HB1 in the year since it was unanimously sent to them by the House, I am very encouraged that over the last week, Sen. Harmon and I have spent a lot of time and made a tremendous amount of progress toward crafting a synthesized proposal which would give Illinois one of the best laws on this subject in the country.
The remaining issues, which I won’t go into at this juncture, are ones which should not jeopardize the legislation, but I have been in this situation before, hence my wariness.
Nobody involved at this juncture is worried about credit. The facts are very clear as to who has been supporting this measure and who hasn’t. There does however remain a concern that the bill goes onto the books as intended.
Hope that this clears it up a little bit.
Busy day today, so I very likely won’t have a chance to weigh back in today.
- Cassandra - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 10:00 am:
He has under three years left in this term. The blink of an eye in politics. Why bother. It’s clear that he is not going to change course, and, to be fair, we knew that when we re-elected him. In that sense, he really is the people’s choice, whether or not the House of Representatives likes him. And Illinois state government has always been for sale…Ata’s account, if true, is likely one of thousands of such arrangements up and down the state government bureaucracy over the years.
Plus, one does have to wonder what a House of Representatives would do with a new guv indebted to it for having sponsored a successful insurgency so to speak, should one occur. After all, the trough probably needs replenishing so the first
thing they’d do is raise middle class taxes.
Be careful what you wish for.
The Dem reformers (ha) should be concentrating on finding a way to ease Blago off the primary stage in 2010. Recent events suggest that a Prez Obama might feel a little queasy about appointing him to a national position. Better find Blago a university to run.
- Ghost - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 10:00 am:
Very well stated (printed/typed?) Rep. Fritchey. The Ata information definetly changes the level of the discussion to somthing other then just a battle of the wills. It is aproaching the point at based upon infromation in the public domain that our elected officials may no longer be serving their positions of guarding the State if they do not seek to impeach. If such obvious corruption is not enough to invoke an impeachment proceeding, then what is? Keep in mind the question is whetehr the prcoess should be invoked to call the Gov in to show that he should be retained. The process itself is meant to provide the hearing which addresses the ultimate question, and it may be a disservice to delay that process.
As a small but instructive point, the Gov did not hesitate to fire DeFraites and take permanent action against many other State workers when he thought there were possible ehtics or corruption issues in play. We should follow the Gov’s example of zero tolerance and apply his same rapid response to him as well.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 10:19 am:
At this time, I doubt the House would seriously consider impeachment prior to November. Too much wood to chop before then. It’s uncharted territory and sets up another confrontation with Blago supporters in the Senate. But we have another month of the Rezko trial, so stay tuned.
Bob Parsons was the Bears punter during Justice Thomas’ career. The Bears’ third all-time scorer behind Kevin Butler and Walter, Thomas still holds the record for longest Bears field goal — 55 yards. And who can forget that kick in the snow against the Giants to make the 79 playoffs?
- Crimefighter - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 10:42 am:
Cassandra, you’re assuming that leaving Blago in there will result in no pushing for a tax increase. I don’t assume Blago will NEVER push for a tax increase. I won’t use “the new guv might push for a tax increase” as a good reason to keep Blago around cause the cost of keeping Blago around far outweighs any possible tax increase.
- illinois citizen - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 10:53 am:
If a impeachment is too complicated or political for our representives at LEAST hold Blagojevich accountable for his actions. I expect nothing less from my teenager. Why a free pass to our highest elected official? Where the outrage? Is this behavior acceptable to members of the house and senate? Please hold him to a level of scrunity the office deserves. IMO Quinn looks like the only one the is serving the people of Illinois.
- Enemy of the State - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 11:06 am:
There will be no impeachment due to a lack of leadership.
- Farmer Green - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 11:15 am:
What’s Madigan have to say about all this? Where has he been?
Is he hiding too?
The leadership has been AWOL for quite some time.
- archpundit - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 11:49 am:
===I doubt Madigan would go for impeachment on this - it sets the bar pretty low. He wouldn’t set the bar so low with Lisa coming up to bat.
Low bar? Ata claims he bribed Rod Blagojevich for a job. One can argue over whether Ata is credible or such, but if you don’t impeach someone for bribery, it’s hard to imagine what you would impeach someone for…
Beyond that, we have several Constitutional violations that are impeachable as well.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 12:07 pm:
Perhaps Mike Madigan ought to consider whether there will be anything for Lisa to govern in 2011 and beyond if something isn’t done now.
- Ghost - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 12:39 pm:
You could also consider that Rich got it wrong when he speculated about Madigans possible response
- the Patriot - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 1:35 pm:
“I also kinda doubt think that Speaker Madigan wants to give Pat Quinn a leg up on the 2010 gubernatorial primary”
I have been saying this for 18 months. Lisa Madigan trounced on Jim Ryan for not indicting George Ryan and waiting to let the Feds do the dirty work. Does anyone believe the Guv has not committed an indictable offense.
Let move to master Mike. He too could impeach the Guv. Regardless of Emil, Mike controls the party coffers and could get the rank and file to push the impeachment issue to the floor of the Senate, but neither will happen.
Lisa and Mike Madigan would rather rack up another 30 Billion in debt to protect their stronghold on this state. I will say it again. I don’t know the republicans have the answer, but if you vote for ANY democrat for a state office, you are an idiot.
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 2:21 pm:
Enemy of the State said it all in 11 words.
- Cassandra - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 2:26 pm:
Why does anybody think that these Ata types give thousands of dollars to politicians’ campaign funding. Out of the goodness of their hearts? Of course not. They want something. And Illinois is a champ in the pay to play arena. Blago likely saw this exchange as business as usual. Because it is, in Illinois.
If Blago gets impeached (highly unlikely), will this stop another high-ranking pol from doing the same thing? No way. They’ll just get better at hiding it. Want to fix pay to pay, you have to
fix the campaign contribution laws. If Ata had
no chance at a job or a contract, would he
have given all that money. I sincerely doubt it.
And neither would the legions of others out there who have done the same thing over the decades.
- Willie Stark - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 2:47 pm:
Maybe the CapFax advertising department should expand it’s ad solicitations beyond the realm of Illinois political affairs. Reading the nonsense contained in many of these comments, especially with regards to the Speaker, must get many readers’ stomach acids flowing. Perhaps individual ads to accompany particular commenters’ posts? Maalox. Tums. Excedrin. Just a thought.
- H20 - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 2:50 pm:
Well said Cassandra, but Blagojevich said he would change all that.
He changed things alright, the level of corruotion has risen to new highs, complements of Rod. Just ask anyone who works for or with the state.
- the Patriot - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 2:56 pm:
The one problem with Cassandra’s analysis is this governor did not get better at hiding it. He is much worse at hiding it then any governor in history. He is blatent and out front. It is not the politicians that need to learn their lessons. It is the voters. Maybe voters will eventually educate themselves and vote candidates based on qualifications and integrity? Or we will just elect Lisa Madigan.
- A Citizen - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 3:08 pm:
-Willie Stark-
But No Exlax! The infrastructure from within the Capitol couldn’t handle it.
- T.i.w.i.t. - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 3:31 pm:
I used to think that it was the person not the party platform that I made my voting decisions on. I am beginning to believe that I couldn’t think less of the people running our state. Luckily(?) i am not in the legislative leaders district. My Point
The GOP ought to be hammering the holy hell out of these people. If I have my year correct it is an election year, and all of the Dems will be more concerned about getting to the National Convention to help Obama out than fixing the state. Yet are we hearing anything out of the GOP camp about all of this?
They might not be able to get anything to a vote then at least they can say they are making a crazy racket….
- Rep. John Fritchey - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 4:29 pm:
In case anyone is interested, I will be appearing on Chicago Tonight to discuss this issue, with former Sen. Ronen and Rep. Molaro speaking in opposition of the notion of an impeachment resolution.
- The Doc - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 4:43 pm:
Rep. Fritchey, I am a constituent in your district, and appreciate your willingness to participate in this dialogue.
But that’s all it is - dialogue. As an elected representative, it is incumbent upon you to act in the event that your colleagues do not. Madigan, Jones, and Blagojevich all are guilty, at a minimum, of thwarting the legislative process, and at great cost to the citizens of Illinois. As someone who appears to be less petulant and more focused, I implore you, and demand that you take action by whatever legal and appropriate means necessary.
Thus far, all we’ve seen over the past year or more, as my father used to say, is all fizz and no gin.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 5:02 pm:
well at least with the impeachment route, Emil can’t keep it bottled up in committee…I say go for it Senate Dems…
- Willie Stark - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 6:06 pm:
The Doc: Can you tell us a little more about how you think Madigan has thwarted the legislative process? You lump him in with Jones and Blago. Can you support it?
- Anon - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 6:11 pm:
This is impeachment thread is good for the blog but really its not going to happpen. So why don’t you move on and see what can and cannot be accomplished in the next couple of years? This State needs leadership out of the Leadership of both parties!
- Macoupin County - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 7:21 pm:
well said Doc!!! Rep. Fritchy show us what you’re really made of, prove it! What we need is a little less talk and a lot more action!
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 7:44 pm:
This legislature is all hat and no cattle. There won’t be an impeachment of POA and POA knows it. I don’t know what’s more disgusting - a do nothing legislature or a governor who gives us all the finger.