Blagojevich impeachment panel delayed

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Illinois state lawmakers say they have delayed their timetable for the impeachment process of embattled Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

U.S. District Judge James Holderman has approved the release of four wiretapped recordings of Blagojevich's conversations to an Illinois House of Representatives impeachment panel. But Holderman also scheduled a hearing on the matter for Thursday, pushing back a hoped-for Wednesday deadline for the panel to make a recommendation, The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., reported.

The secret recordings of the governor made by FBI investigators reportedly reveal Blagojevich talking about trying to wrest campaign contributions from someone who wanted him to sign a bill into law.

Members of the impeachment committee have already have reviewed a secret draft of a possible impeachment report and have suggested changes in the document. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, has told all House members to return to Springfield Wednesday prepared to vote on impeaching the governor, the Journal-Register said.

The House isn't scheduled to reconvene until Thursday and it was not certain when an impeachment vote would take place, observers said.