Ill. Supreme Court won't act on governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Illinois Supreme Court Wednesday decided against hearing a petition to oust Gov. Rod Blagojevich and install Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn in his place.

Last Friday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the state's high court to take Blagojevich's key powers away and declare him incapable of governing in the wake of federal charges stemming from an alleged scheme to auction off to the highest bidder the vacated U.S. Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama.

The court declined to act without explanation, the Springfield State Journal-Register reported.

Elsewhere, Blagojevich's defense attorney Ed Genson exchanged sharp words with members of the House committee appointed to look into impeaching the governor. Genson told lawmakers not to put too much faith in the charges filed last week because prosecutors are far from a conviction.

"We have a terrible, terrible public relations problem and everybody wants something done," Genson said. "It's up to each and every one of you to decide whether it's enough and whether it's time."

Genson refused to say whether Blagojevich would appear before the panel.

The committee plans its third meeting in as many days Thursday.

Earlier, Blagojevich told reporters he'll "soon" tell his side of the controversy.

"I can't wait to begin to tell my side of the story and to address you guys and most importantly the people of Illinois. That's who I'm dying to talk to," Blagojevich told media representatives camped out in front his home in Chicago.

The governor also told reporters to "hang loose," CNN reported.