Panel recommends impeaching Ill. governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A special Illinois House committee considering the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich Thursday voted to accuse him of abuse of power.

The House Special Investigative Committee voted 21-0 to accuse Blagojevich of a series of alleged efforts to secure personal gain or campaign contributions in exchange for official acts. Among the acts were his alleged effort to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder and alleged demands that the Chicago Tribune fire members of its editorial board in exchange for state assistance in the sale of the Chicago Cubs. The committee also cited his multimillion-dollar purchase of flu vaccine that federal officials would not allow into the country and his expansion of a state health insurance program despite the Legislature's opposition.

"Some or all of these acts constitute a pattern of abuse of power. It is the opinion of this committee they warrant impeachment and trial and removal from the office of governor," the recommendation said.

"This is an individual who is not fit to be governor in the state of Illinois," committee Chairman Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, said in casting her vote to approve the articles of impeachment.

"Nobody is above the law," Rep. William Black, R-Danville, said.

A report issued earlier in the day outlined federal corruption charges against the two-term Democratic governor.

"The citizens of this state must have confidence that their governor will faithfully serve the people and put their interests before his own," the report said. "It is with profound regret that the committee finds that our current governor has not done so."

Blagojevich, who was arrested Dec. 9 on a federal criminal complaint alleging he planned to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat for his personal benefit, did not testify during hearings.

"While the governor's silence could not be held against him in a criminal case, the opposite is true in a non-criminal proceeding such as this impeachment inquiry," the report said.

The full House is expected to vote Friday.