In the wake of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest for (among many other things) attempting to sell Illinois's vacant U.S. Senate seat, Illinois politicians are moving to ensure that Blagojevich will not have the power to appoint that Senator. Senior Senator Richard Durbin advocated such a move, telling reporters "No appointment by this governor could produce a credible replacement," and a special election should be held.
Below, some developing news on this front. UPDATES: (1) A bill is being introduced in the State House later this week and (2) the Senate will reconvene at an unspecified date. (3) The House will convene on Monday to take up the matter of a special election. House Speaker Madigan will also consider impeachment proceedings. Details below.
Rich Miller, whose CapitolFax is required reading on Illinois state government issues, just spoke to incoming Illinois State Senate President John Cullerton. Cullerton's statement:
Before I take office as the President, we should pass legislation changing the law to allow for special election for the replacement of Sen. Obama. And I believe that Sen. Jones will support me in that effort.
UPDATE 2 from same link:
PRESIDENT JONES TO RECONVENE SENATE TO PASS LEGISLATION CREATING SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE U. S. SENATE SEAT
CHICAGO, Illinois – "The events this morning are shocking. The faith of the citizens of Illinois has once again been shaken. I will call the Senate back in to session to pass legislation that would create a special election for the U. S. Senate seat to help restore the confidence of the people of Illinois during this difficult time."
Some context: Emil Jones is retiring as Illinois State Senate President. He has been Rod Blagojevich's closest elected ally over the past couple of years; it is possible that without Jones, Blagojevich may have already been impeached. (House Speaker Mike Madigan openly discussed the possibility of impeaching the governor earlier this year.) Cullerton's statement publicly pressures Jones to agree to this change in Illinois law, a change I would guess the House and Senate would agree to pass. That Jones quickly agreed to this proposal indicates that Rod Blagojevich has been utterly isolated by the events of today and the House and Senate may now co-operate to strip the governor of this power. My guess is that this legislation will pass overwhelmingly when it is introduced.
At the same time Lt. Governor Pat Quinn concluded a press conference in which he pleaded with Blagojevich to "do the right thing" and "step aside or resign" (implying at least a temporary leave of absence) so that Quinn could take charge of the state's business. That would presumably include appointng the U.S. Senate seat, however Quinn did not focus on that particular duty of the governor's office and in the snippets I saw on television did not offer an opinion on the possibility of a special election to replace Barack Obama. (More news on impeachment proceedings in Bob Johnson's currently recommended diary.)
The timeframe for such legislation is unclear. The legislature is out of session until January.
Should a special election be held, my best guess is that Lisa Madigan would win -- if she wants it. She and her father are publicly associated as Blagojevich's enemies and she could run a successful campaign as a reformer effectively running against Blagojevich. The governor was already the most unpopular politician in the state (recent approval ratings at between 13-15%) and even though this isn't the governor's office that would be up for election, and even though Blagojevich wouldn't be a candidate, such a campaign would galvanize Illinois voters disgusted with the governor.
Another strong statewide possibility is State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, an Obama confidante who has achieved generally favorable marks in his term for attempting -- legally -- to find new sources of revenue for the state. He is young -- 32 -- and could also assume the role of reform candidate.
Those are a couple of names that would be real possibilities should a special election occur. Both have -- in addition to reputations as reformers -- been elected statewide and both enjoy high approval ratings. My guess is whichever one didn't want to run for governor in 2010 would become the front-runner in a Senate special election.
The prospect of a special election is just that -- a prospect. Legislation would have to be passed, and by such margins that a possible veto by the governor would be overriden (assuming Blagojevich does not somehow leave office before such legislation moved through both chambers). But today's events have led that prospect to suddenly become a possibility. Should any more news on this particular front of the Blagojevich saga develop, I will update this diary.
UPDATE 1: Thanks to Avarus who writes below that State Rep. Jack Franks said on WGN-AM's Kathy and Judy show that he would introduce a bill within the week to hold a special election.
UPDATE 2: Emil Jones released a statement that he will reconvene the Senate to take up such a bill. Details added above.
UPDATE 3: House Speaker Mike Madigan has issued a statement on both a special election and impeachment. Again, from Rich Miller's site:
STATEMENT FROM HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL J. MADIGAN
CHICAGO — House Speaker Michael J. Madigan on Tuesday issued the following statement:
"Today’s events are shocking and disappointing. It represents a new low for conduct by public officials. I believe in the rights of individuals to due process, but I also believe action must be taken to avoid certain functions of state government from being irrevocably tarnished by Governor Blagojevich’s continued exercise of power.
I am prepared to convene the House next Monday to change state law to provide for a special election for the U.S. Senate replacement. I would urge U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to take note of this action.
On the question of impeachment, I am prepared to discuss the suggestions of the House Republican Leader.
We have many important issues to confront. Today’s events do nothing to help us attain solutions."