AG: Blagojevich could resign soon

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Sunday contradicted an assertion by the state attorney general that the governor could resign from office Monday.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a fellow Democrat, has sought to oust the governor. In an appearance Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation," she said the governor could step down soon.

"We have heard rumors in the media that he's thinking of possibly doing something, or at least announcing something, (Monday). But at this point, we're really in a situation here in the state of Illinois where we don't have a governor who can legitimately govern," Madigan said.

Lucio Guerrero, a spokesman for Blagojevich, said Sunday the governor planned to be on the job Monday, The New York Times reported.

"He has no plans of resigning today or tomorrow," Guerrero said Sunday. "He still signs bills as governor, and he wants to see details."

Madigan petitioned the Illinois Supreme Court Friday to remove the governor from office. Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiracy and soliciting bribes in an alleged scheme to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Madigan said Sunday efforts were under way to prevent the governor from appointing Obama's Senate successor.

"Nobody in their right mind would accept an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat that this governor made," she said. "The Legislature tomorrow was also scheduled to take up a law that would basically allow a special election to fill that seat, and I think that's what the people of the state deserve and want at this point."