Illinois Attorney General Calls for Court to Oust Gov. Blagojevich

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN: Good afternoon.

This morning my office filed pleadings with the Illinois Supreme Court requesting that Governor Blagojevich be temporarily removed from office. In the alternative, we have asked that the Illinois Supreme Court declare that he is prevented from filling the U.S. Senate vacancy, acting on legislation, directing contracts, directing the activities of the Illinois State Finance Authority, directing the activities of the Toll Highway Authority, and directing the disbursement of state funds.

I have asked the Supreme Court to appoint the lieutenant governor as the acting governor, pursuant to the Succession Act.

I recognize that this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances.

As we learned on Tuesday morning, U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald arrested Governor Blagojevich at his home and charged him with criminal conduct that Fitzgerald described as a political corruption crime spree.

The criminal complaint alleges that, in his own words, Governor Blagojevich was going to make decisions on official acts based on what was best for his legal situation, his personal situation, and his political situation.