Springfield, IL…In a move never seen before in Illinois history, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today became the first Governor to be removed from office through impeachment. State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) applauds the Senate for voting to remove Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich from office based on charges of blatant abuse of power, as well as federal corruption charges.

“Today marks the beginning of a new day in Illinois,” said Poe. “As we have witnessed for many years, Governor Blagojevich has shown nothing but contempt for Springfield. Evidence of this can be seen in everything from his refusal to stay in the governor’s mansion to his desire to send IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety to southern Illinois and his recent closure of the historic Dana-Thomas house. I look forward to working with Governor Quinn to promptly address these issues and the many issues that the Blagojevich administration neglected over the past six years.”

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To mark the beginning of the 96th General Assembly, State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) took the oath of office in an inauguration ceremony held at the University of Illinois at Springfield today. Poe, set to begin serving his eighth term in the Illinois House of Representatives, is energized by what he sees as an opportunity in the 96th G.A. to address many of the issues that have been on hold under the current administration.

“It is a privilege and an honor to once again be serving the people of the 99th District,” said Poe. “I am optimistic that the 96th General Assembly will bring opportunities to tackle some of the big issues in my district, as well as in the state of Illinois. Our first order of business, however, will be to vote again on the Articles of Impeachment to ensure there is no question regarding the vote taken under the 95th General Assembly.”
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State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield), along with the Illinois House, voted today to impeach Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich after his December 9th arrest on charges he attempted to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat. The vote Friday marks the first time in the 190-year history of Illinois that a sitting Governor has been impeached.

“I think the summary of evidence brought forth by the Special Committee shows a blatant abuse of power by our Governor,” said Poe. “It is clear that the Committee’s findings prove that Governor Blagojevich is not fit to serve as the Governor of Illinois.”

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We ask you to join us in urging House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones to immediately call the General Assembly back into session to allow a vote on the special election legislation to fill the Senate seat of Barack Obama by signing this online petition.

In light of the serious federal criminal charges filed against Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, I am currently co-sponsoring House Resolution 1644 calling for impeachment proceedings to begin immediately against Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.

Please join me in demanding that Speaker Michael Madigan immediately initiate impeachment hearings in the Illinois House by adding your name to the petition by clicking here.

Springfield, IL – With Governor Blagojevich still planning to move the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety out of Springfield, State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) filed legislation this week that would prevent the closure of a state facility without the approval of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA). Under the current State Facilities Closure Act, opinions rendered by members of COGFA are strictly advisory in nature.

“The State Facilities Closure Act, in its current format, does a good job of allowing for public dialogue on proposed state facility closures,” said Poe. “However, our current administration has chosen to completely disregard the findings and opinions of the Commission, as well as the wishes of the public. This legislation aims to put some teeth into the decisions rendered by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to ensure a fairer, non-partisan approach to state facility closures.”

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Springfield, IL – State Representatives Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) and Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg) today sent a letter to State Board of Investment Director Bill Atwood (ISBI) requesting a public hearing in Springfield on proposed policy changes to the ISBI managed deferred-compensation (401(k)) program.

“I am very concerned about what we are hearing,” said Poe. “The mutual funds currently used by State employees to invest their 401 (k) assets are relatively transparent entities with publicly quoted asset prices. Considering the tumultuous times we are facing with the stock market, I think we need to put our highest priority on supporting the existing investment decisions made by Illinois state workers and plan participants. Our state workers’ peace of mind must be our highest priority.”

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Springfield, IL – ‘Reckless and potentially deadly’ are how State Representatives Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) and Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg) are describing Governor Blagojevich’s plan to cut more than 450 jobs in child protection, human services, state parks and historic sites. According to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), 304 positions in Children and Family Services, 73 in Human Services, 43 in Natural Resources and 34 in Historic Preservation will be cut.

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Springfield, IL – Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Tony Libri, along with State Representatives Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) and Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg) and Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) today called for expanding the Illinois Sex Offender Act to include all offenders regardless of when the crime occurred. Certain sex offenders who were convicted in the past are not required to register under the current law.

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