Blago Impeached

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was impeached by the state legislature today by a vote of 141-1. The measure only needed 60 votes to pass.

Legislators accused the second-term Democratic governor of letting down the people of Illinois by letting ego and ambition drive his decisions. "It's our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that's become Illinois government," said Rep. Jack D. Franks, a Democrat. Blagojevich was out jogging in his Chicago neighborhood when the vote came down. His office declined to comment, but said he would issue a statement Friday afternoon. During the House's 90-minute debate on impeachment, no one spoke up to defend the governor. But Rep. Milton Patterson, a Chicago Democrat, made the sole vote against impeaching Blagojevich. Patterson said he read the impeachment committee's report and wasn't comfortable voting against the governor. "I have no firsthand knowledge of any of the evidence," he said.

Impeachment is similar to a criminal indictment. It is not a finding of guilt.