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Ill. governor makes brief courthouse appearance

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-13 21:04

CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich finished his work week in a federal courthouse, attending to duties in his newfound role of criminal defendant as the attorney general asked the state's highest court to have the scandal-ridden governor stripped of his powers.

In this July 9, 2007, file photo Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, right, takes questions with his Chief of Staff John Harris, left, during budget talks at the Executive Mansion in Springfield, Ill. Federal authorities in Chicago arrested Blagojevich and Harris on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. A spokesman for the governor said Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, that Harris had resigned. The governor is accused of attempting to benefit financially from his position to appoint a Barack Obama's Senate replacement. [Agencies]

The trip to the courthouse capped a tumultuous week for the governor, who rebuffed calls to resign and faced the growing threat that lawmakers could launch impeachment proceedings as early as Monday. He visited a department that supervises criminal defendants and prepares reports about them to help the court on issues such as bail.

Blagojevich showed no sign of backing down from his critics, even signing a bill that extends insurance coverage for autistic kids in what represented a clear sign that he's still in charge. As he left his office Friday, Blagojevich refused to answer questions from reporters, saying only, "I'll have a lot to say at the appropriate time."

Prosecutors have accused Blagojevich of a litany of corruption allegations, including putting President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat up for sale, strong-arming the owners of the Chicago Cubs and threatening to withhold millions of dollars from a children's hospital.

As the turmoil deepened, the state hurtled toward an extraordinary constitutional showdown. Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the Supreme Court to declare Blagojevich unfit to serve, declaring that "the state government is paralyzed."

Illinois Supreme Court spokesman Joseph Tybor wouldn't comment on when the court might act on Madigan's motion, saying only that it "will be properly considered."

It was believed to be the first time in state history that such an action was taken. The attorney general is applying a rule that was intended to cover cases in which a governor is incapacitated for health reasons.

The Democrat is "unable to serve as governor due to disability and should not rightfully continue to hold that office," according to the motion. "His ability to provide effective leadership has been eliminated, and the state government is paralyzed."

The attorney general, also a Democrat, asked the court to strip the governor of his duties until possible impeachment proceedings and his criminal case run their course. If he does not step down and is not impeached or convicted, Blagojevich could go to the court and ask to be reinstated.

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