* 6:00 pm - And it just gets worse for Burris…

The Senate Ethics Committee, chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is opening a preliminary probe into Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) and his seeming misleading statements about events leading up to his appointment by ousted Gov. Blagojevich to the Senate seat vacated by President Obama.

“Whenever allegations of improper conduct are brought to the attention of the Senate Ethics Committee, we open a preliminary inquiry,” Boxer Communications Director Natalie Ravitz said Tuesday. […]

A Senate probe could take months.

So, let’s see, he’s been a US Senator for about a month and a state’s attorney is already investigating him for possible perjury charges. The US Senate is launching a preliminary ethics investigation. Plus, the Illinois Republicans are refusing to stop pressuring the Democrats to reactivate the House impeachment committee so that Burris can testify again. And certain types are even suggesting that the Illinois House Dems deliberately sat on Burris’ latest affidavit until after the federal stimulus bill was safely passed. Watch for that last one to get more play, but it’s probably the most dubious of all, and wouldn’t have impacted the vote. It might’ve been a gigantic distraction, but he’d still be a Senator.

Anyway, this has to be some kind of a record.

Congratulations, Senator!

*** 6:23 pm *** This also has to be a new record. One month in office and a major newspaper calls for his resignation….

There’s only one honorable action for Burris: resign.

By the way, the Tribune editorial also asked…

Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan says Sangamon County prosecutors should look into this. But she’s the attorney general. Where’s the announcement of an investigation by her own office?

Madigan already answered that question earlier today…

Under Illinois law, state’s attorneys have jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute violations of the vast majority of criminal laws, including the perjury law. The Attorney General’s office does not have jurisdiction to investigate these allegations or a grand jury to use in conducting that investigation.

The AG’s office is a weird little entity. So far, politicos have been reluctant to give it more power. Various AGs fought for years just to get a statewide grand jury for drug kingpins, for example.

UPDATE: The slam on AG Madigan has now been removed from the editorial.

*** 7:12 pm *** The Tribune’s new favorite congressional candidate follows suit…

Statement from Commissioner Mike Quigley, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 5th Congressional District.

“Roland Burris’ failure to be honest and upfront with the people of Illinois should disqualify him from service in the United States Senate.

“He should resign, immediately.

“The Illinois legislature should work with Governor Quinn to pass legislation immediately setting up a special election empowering the people of Illinois to have a voice in this matter and allowing us all to finally turn the page on this sad chapter in Illinois politics.”

*** 7:15 pm *** I was saving this for tomorrow, but what the heck. From a letter sent by David Orr…

…Naturally, any nominee can play word games, a verbal hide-and-seek with the truth. But your silence in this matter is subterfuge, not gamesmanship. No Americans or Illinois voters nor your colleagues in elective office should have to suffer through more episodes in this unseemly drama. We deserve a clean break with the embarrassing Blagojevich era. This is not merely a legal issue; it is a moral issue.

I have supported you in the past as a colleague and as a friend. But today I ask you to step down and let the people of Illinois move forward into a new era of good governance.

Sincerely,
David Orr
Cook County Clerk

* 10:56 pm - Rep. Susana Mendoza thoroughly guts Burris on Chicago Tonight…