Suit to be filed Friday before Illinois Supreme Court to remove Governor

SPRINGFIELD -- Frustrated by the lack of direct action on the part of state legislative leadership, two private Illinois citizens said Friday they will be filing a petition before the Illinois Supreme Court to temporarily remove Governor Rod Blagojevich from office.

"Attorney General Lisa Madigan has been bringing up the possibility of removing the governor from office based on Illinois Supreme Court's Rule 382, which allows the court to move quicker than any other recourse," petitioner John Bambenek of Champaign told Illinois Review today. "Illinois can't wait for months for the Governor to step down, we have too many crucial issues before us to wait."

"The standards for incapacity are very broad.  We're saying he's unable to fulfill his duty to appoint someone to fill the U.S. Senate seat, since Senate Majority leader Harry Reid refuses to accept his appointment," Bambenek said.  "He's also unable to function politically, because he's been caught on tape compromising his office.  We're also stating in the petition that Attorney General Madigan has a potential conflict of interest, as she has stated her own interest in running for governor in the future."

Bambenek, co-foundee of Illinois Citizen Coalition will be joined in the petition by Hinsdale resident Adam Andrzejewski, director of the year-old good government group "For the Good of Illinois."

More coming...

Comments

[Anon]

How does it serve the conservative movement, the Republican Party, or even the people of Illinois for this stunt to be given any notice? This is a serious situation, not a cocktail party game.

It is hoped that this chicanery achieves its intended publicity objectives upon filing, because it won't get the time of day from the Illinois Supreme Court.

After all, who really needs more reminders on why the rest of Illinois considers the Conservatives too goofy to be allowed real power? Irresponsible stuff like this just keeps drilling the message home, to the detriment of the Conservative agenda.

[Bookworm]

If you read Rule 382, you can see it was obviously meant to cover situations in which a governor was incapacitated by a medical condition (stroke, coma, Alzheimer's, formally diagnosed mental illness), or a situation in which he/she had fled the country or gone missing. To try to apply it to a situation of POLITICAL incapacity is, I think, stretching it a bit too far.

That being said, however, the grounds cited by this petition for removing Blago from office are just as valid as those which Lisa Madigan would likely cite.

Blago needs to go ASAP. The best way is for him to resign. If he doesn't do that, impeach him. Impeachment could wait just long enough for the new General Assembly to be seated in January, to insure there are no legal or procedural questions. Use the holiday break to get everything in order, then do it.

[Brenda Sexton]

an alternative end to the Blagojevich
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YlIYJ-68hg

[Donna]

See my comment re: Quinn and Special Election post from earlier today.

Thank you- there are obviously 2 'leaders in the house.' I'd like to shake the hands of Mr Bambenek and Mr Andrzejewski. Something needed to be done while the so-called leaders sit on their hands.

[RAYMOND tRUE]

FLASH!!! FLASH!!! FLASH!!! FLASH!!! FLASH!!!

Sheriff Mark Curran will switch to the Republican Party on Tuesday December 16th at Republican Headquarters on Peterson Road.

The announcement will be made at 11 am. Please do all you can to be there and bring all the good Republicans you can.

The RALC has been in consultation with Mark advising him to do this. He is Pro Life, Pro traditional marriage, Pro second amendment, Pro enforcement of illegal aliens. He is perfect fit for the Republican State and National Platforms.

Come one and come all... Let's give a super RALC sendoff to this event of the year in Lake County.


Raymond S. True
Chairman
Republican Assembly of Lake County

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Cal Skinner]

It does not serve the interests of the Republican Party for the legislative right of impeachment to be usurped by the Illinois Supreme Court.

[Lucy]

"It does not serve the interests of the Republican Party for the legislative right of impeachment to be usurped by the Illinois Supreme Court."

Translation= we need to prolong this a long as possible as a distraction and hope this sticks for 2 years...

Cal: Doesn't the constitution provide for the Supreme Court to intervene under certain circumstances?

We have three branches of government and if the legislative branch doesn't move fast enough to straighten out the executive, then the judicial should be equal in power and ability to effect.
I disagree with Cal's assessment. The legislative branch is not pre-eminent over the judicial branch. They are equal

[Disgusted/Disappointed]

To quote the "adult? members" of Illinois' first family--"What a 'bleeping' mess!" First Obama didn't know William Ayres--THEN Ayres appeared on one of the morning news programs a few days after the election and stated he was friends w/Obama--and was a neighbor as well. How long do we have to wait for Obama's staff to confirm that, indeed, Blago and Obama discussed the senate appointment immediately after the election. Now, won't that be a surprise?

[Cal Skinner]

Guess it's my legislative background that prompts my revulsion concerning the Supreme Court's doing the dirty work the General Assembly should undertake.

My belief is there will be no witnesses testifying under oath before a Supreme Court decision.

And there should be a thorough probe of this man Blagojevich in public.

[Donna]

Cal,
Just a thought- in this case can't the judicial branch temporarily prevent the gov from further action which could result in further detriment to the State of Illinois while the legislative branch does its business? I would think the wire taps would prove significant evidence, as well as intent. I see this as an opportunity for the branches to work together for the common good. My biggest revulsion is that Blago continues to go to work everyday and could legally make a Senate appointment right now. I'm sure you're concerned about precedent (innocent until proven guilty) however, judicial discretion is what this case is begging for.

Bookworm,
I didn't see where the Rule was that obvious in its intent. Possibly it was perfectly vague.

[Donna]

Cal,
Just a thought- in this case can't the judicial branch temporarily prevent the gov from further action which could result in further detriment to the State of Illinois while the legislative branch does its business? I would think the wire taps would prove significant evidence, as well as intent. I see this as an opportunity for the branches to work together for the common good. My biggest revulsion is that Blago continues to go to work everyday and could legally make a Senate appointment right now. I'm sure you're concerned about precedent (innocent until proven guilty) however, judicial discretion is what this case is begging for.

Bookworm,
I didn't see where the Rule was that obvious in its intent. Possibly it was perfectly vague.

[John Bambenek]

The Supreme Court may appoint a judge as a finder of fact and have a hearing to determine the facts in advance of the hearing on the case itself.

[PauseGipGuili]

Èíòåðåñòíûé, ïîëåçíûé è ïðîñòîé ïîñò! Ðåñïåêò!

[cliseeapole]

Просто восхитительно!