Illinois Senate begins impeachment trial without governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The governor claims "the fix is in," but Illinois Senate leaders maintain that the impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich will be fair.

By: Associated Press | WNCT
Published: January 27, 2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The governor claims "the fix is in," but Illinois Senate leaders maintain that the impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich will be fair.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald is presiding over the trial that will determine whether Blagojevich is removed from office. Senator are considering charges that the Democratic governor abused his power by trying to auction the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama, circumventing hiring laws and defying decisions of the General Assembly.

Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing.

When Fitzgerald asked if he was present at today's proceedings, all that followed was a long silence. Calling it a "solemn and serious business," the chief justice ordered the proceedings to begin as if the governor had entered a plea of not guilty.

Blagojevich has been giving a series of interviews in recent days, complaining that the trial's rules are tilted against him and don't allow him to call witnesses.

One senator calls the governor's claim "self-serving" and "ludicrous," noting that prosecutors have to make their case with the same restrictions.