Blago panel to probe hiring allegations

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A panel of Illinois state lawmakers considering the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich will investigate alleged unethical hiring practices, members say.

The panel met Wednesday, beginning a crucial period when they will decide whether recommend impeaching the governor to the full Illinois House of Representatives, perhaps by the end of the week.

The panel was also preparing for Thursday's testimony by former Illinois Attorney Gen. Roland Burris, who was expected to discuss Blagojevich's appointment of him to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Lawmakers said they will carefully look at a confidential 2004 report authored by Blagojevich's executive inspector general alleging that politics drove his state agency hiring decisions, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Even though most attention has been focused on Blagojevich's arrest last month on charges he attempted to "sell" the vacant U.S. Senate seat in exchange for political and personal favors, the 2004 report may become a "big piece" of the committee's findings, state Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, told the newspaper.

Another panel member, Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago, told the Tribune the inspector general's report could underscore concerns that hiring under Blagojevich sometimes was unfair.