Quinn sworn in as Illinois governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn was sworn in as Illinois' 41st governor Thursday shortly after the state Senate expelled Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office.

On two unanimous 59-0 votes, the Illinois Senate, sitting as an impeachment tribunal, removed Blagojevich as governor and barred him from ever holding elective office in the state in the future.

After his public swearing-in ceremony in the House chamber, Quinn said called upon all Illinoisans to work together so "we can make the will of the people the law of the land." Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke administered the oath.

"The ordeal is over," Quinn said. "The citizens of Illinois can be extremely proud of our elected representatives ... who carried out their responsibility with serious purpose."

In this moment "when our hearts are hurt," Quinn said it was important to embark on a mission to restore voters' faith in elected officials.

Adopting an ethic of service and helping others "is the best way to show what Illinois is truly all about," Quinn said.

Secretary of State Jesse White presented the conviction papers to Quinn before he was sworn in privately in the lieutenant governor's office in Springfield, the Chicago Tribune said.