Illinois Supreme Court won’t decide Blagojevich’s fate

The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected state
Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request to hear a case asking for Gov. Rod
Blagojevich’s (D) removal from office.

{mosads}In an effort to remove Blagojevich from office in a more
expeditious manner than that granted by the impeachment process, Madigan, a
Democrat, asked the court to determine whether Blagojevich is fit to continue
to lead the state.

Blagojevich was arrested last week for allegedly trying
to sell President-elect Obama’s former Senate seat, and has been accused by
federal investigators of other corruption as well.

Illinois Republicans continued to push for a special
election for Obama’s seat, which top Democrats initially supported but have
since backed off of.

The state GOP said the court’s decision is the latest
evidence that the state legislature should declare a special election.

“The Supreme Court’s decision today is yet another reason
the General Assembly must immediately convene a special session and strip Gov.
Blagojevich of his power to appoint our next United States senator and give
that power to the people in the form of a special election,” state GOP Chairman
Andy McKenna said in a statement.

Blagojevich is expected to address the media later this
week.