Ald. Edmund Moran (6th) only had one word to describe his reaction to the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on political corruption charges.
“Crazy.”
Moran, like many state and federal officials, is expressing outrage and frustration over the behavior of Blagojevich, who is charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation to commit bribery.
The United States Attorney’s office alleges that Blagojevich sought financial benefits from naming a U.S. senator to replace President-elect Barack Obama.
“I think he’s a disgrace, and if you look at the governor and think that, then he should leave,” Moran said. “He won’t because he thinks he’s pretty nifty. He’s not.”
Many politicians, including Obama, have called for Blagojevich’s resignation. On Dec. 15, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced the creation of a committee to explore the impeachment of the governor, who has yet to give any indication of stepping down.
“I think that Gov. Blagojevich is doing Illinois an injustice, and don’t believe he’s doing the right thing,” Evanston City Clerk Rodney Greene said.
Ald. Elizabeth Tisdahl (7th), said she has never supported the governor and thinks he should resign immediately.
Tisdahl contributed $2,000 to Blagojevich’s primary opponent, former Chicago schools superintendant Paul Vallas, in 2001.
“I campaigned hard against him when he ran in the primary, but I can’t say I expected him to be this bad,” Tisdahl said. “I’m horrified at his behavior.”
On Dec. 30, Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris, a former Illinois attorney general, to the vacant U.S. Senate seat, a move that Greene believes is tainted by scandal. Many Senate leaders have said they would reject any appointment made by the disgraced governor.
“Anyone he recommends won’t be accepted because of the turmoil this situation has created,” Greene said. “Burris is a good choice, but I believe a cloud will follow him to the Senate office.”
Despite the allegations and calls for resignation, Ald. Lionel Jean-Baptiste (2nd) stressed Blagojevich’s right to due process.
“The governor deserves the chance to defend himself against the accusations made by the U.S. Attorney’s office,” Jean-Baptiste said. “I’m not prepared to accept the allegations at face value.”
Blagojevich is the second Illinois governor in recent years to face federal corruption charges. Former Gov. George Ryan, who served from 1998 to 2002, was convicted of fraud and racketeering in April 2006 and is serving six and a half years in prison.
“I think the nature of politics in Illinois is pathetic to a large degree,” Moran said. “I think you also have to blame the voters, though, because they are the ones electing these people.”
Tisdahl defended the constituents of Illinois, citing a more recent electoral success.
“Illinois voters also elected Barack Obama to the Senate, so they are doing some things right and some things wrong,” Tisdahl said. “I think Obama is a lot more representative of the people of Illinois than Rod Blagojevich.”
On Monday, federal prosecutors received a three-month extension to indict Blagojevich, moving the deadline from Jan. 7 to April 7.
Meanwhile, pressure on Blagojevich to step down continues to intensify.
“The people of Illinois deserve better,” Tisdahl said.
