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.”

In a vote of 59-0, the Senate impeached Governor Blagojevich following a week-long impeachment trial led by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald. During the past week, Illinois Senators heard testimony from FBI agent Daniel Cain regarding the criminal affidavit, as well as select federal wire tap conversations. Governor Blagojevich’s only participation in the trial came during the closing arguments.

Among the impeachable offenses considered by the Senate trial included: attempting to sell the vacant U.S. Senate seat of President Obama for personal gain; attempting to withhold state money for Children’s Memorial Hospital for a campaign contribution, expanding the state’s healthcare system without legislative approval; bribing the Chicago Tribune Company; and using state deals to get campaign contributions.