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Ill. Puts Blago Impeachment on Fast Track

Gov's access to Homeland Security info yanked

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2009 9:38 AM CST

(Newser) – The Illinois House speaker is calling lawmakers back to session early for a possible impeachment vote on Rod Blagojevich next week, the Chicago Tribune reports. The move could help Democrats block Blago nominee Roland Burris from taking Barack Obama's Senate seat, reports the New York Times. Illinois House officials say Burris will be invited to testify in front of the impeachment committee about how he came to be appointed.

US Senate officials are hoping to delay Burris from taking his seat in the chamber until Blagojevich is removed and his successor can name a replacement. Officials also announced Friday that the Homeland Security department had revoked Blagojevich's access to classified federal security information, a move described as "pretty standard procedure" by a Blago spokesman.

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Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes his first substantial public comments since his arrest on federal corruption charges at the State of Illinois Building Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich departs his home in Chicago, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Roland Burris, right, takes questions after Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Burris as his choice to fill President-elect Barack Obama's US Senate seat Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

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It's extremely important that Mr. Burris appear before our committee and explain to us the nature or the circumstances on which this appointment happened.
- Rep. Jim Durkin, minority leader of the impeachment committee

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Ill. Puts Blago Impeachment on Fast Track