Ill. Lt. Gov. to appoint corruption panel

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn says he will name a former federal prosecutor to head a panel aimed at reforming state government.

Quinn, who stands to become governor if Gov. Rod Blagojevich is impeached, said he will name the same lawyer who prosecuted jailed former Gov. George Ryan to develop legislation to "fumigate" Illinois government, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday.

The lawyer, Patrick Collins, "is indefatigable, tireless and an extremely hard worker," Quinn told the newspaper. "He's just what the doctor ordered for beginning to provide remedies to Illinois' political ills."

Quinn said he would announce Collins' appointment to the unpaid post. He said the panel eventually could comprise a dozen or so appointees and will issue a report "with all deliberate speed."

An impeachment panel of Illinois state lawmakers is expected issue a recommendation this week on whether Blagojevich should be impeached. He has been charged by U.S. prosecutors of, among other things, trying to sell the vacant U.S. Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama for political and personal favors.