CHICAGO, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Roland Burris' appointment to the U.S. Senate likely won't be certified by Illinois state officials in time for the start of the 111th Congress, analysts say.
Burris, a former Illinois attorney general, was appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to serve out the remaining two years of the Senate term of President-elect Barack Obama. But because Blagojevich has been charged by federal prosecutors with trying to sell the seat in return for political favors, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has refused to certify Burris' appointment, the Washington publication Politico reported Saturday.
Burris in turn has filed suit to force White to grant the certification, but the state attorney general's office, which is representing White, does not have to respond to the lawsuit until next Wednesday, a day after the beginning of the 111th Congress, Politico reported.
Officials also said Friday the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revoked Blagojevich's access to classified federal security information, a move that Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero told the Chicago Tribune was a "pretty standard procedure."
Also Friday, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said he is calling lawmakers back to Springfield, Ill., next week for a possible vote on impeaching Blagojevich, the newspaper said.
