Senator raises questions on trial's fairness

[BlueJessamine]

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

SPRINGFIELD -- As the impeachment tribunal of Gov. Blagojevich got off to a sleepy start Monday with the governor performing on Broadway instead of at the Capitol, it became apparent that at least one Democratic senator has some qualms about the manner in which Blagojevich soon will be thrown out of office, though not necessarily with the result.

Sen. Rickey Hendon, a veteran West Side legislator who learned the ropes in the City Council, said his concerns shouldn't be seen as a defense of Blagojevich as much as an effort to make sure the governor gets a fair trial.


With senators prohibited from speechmaking during the trial, Hendon used the only means at his disposal -- an opportunity to submit written questions through Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald -- to make known his displeasure with aspects of the impeachment case against Blagojevich.

In particular, Hendon is upset that senators are being asked to impeach Blagojevich in part on policy matters on which they previously supported the governor: expanding health care for children, creating a prescription drug program for seniors and procuring flu vaccines from outside the U.S.

"Is giving health care to children an impeachable offense, or does it fall under executive privilege?" Hendon asked House prosecutor David Ellis.

Hendon said he and other Democratic senators, then under the leadership of retired Senate President Emil Jones, backed Blagojevich on those programs, even after he implemented them over the objections of the Illinois House, and that to turn against him now on those matters would be hypocritical.

"How can I kick the governor out of office over that when we supported it?" Hendon told me in an interview after the Senate adjourned for the day.



Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1398761,CST-NWS-brown27.article

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Chicago Sun-Times

The impeachment case combines those policy disputes with the governor's alleged criminal violations stemming from the U.S. attorney's investigation, lumping it all together as instances in which he "abused the power of his office."



Would the Illinois Senate be holding the impeachment trial if U.S. Attorney Pat Fitzgerald had not arrested Governor Blagojevich on a criminal complaint?

[kevsand]

1. The answer to your question is "no."

The Democratic controlled Illinois House and Senate would never have impeached an incumbent Democratic governor without a criminal complaint. They simply lack the spine for it.

[BlueJessamine]

2. thanks kevsand. n/t