*** 1:53 PM *** Quinn thinks impeachment can be wrapped up in a month…
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn says that if Gov. Rod Blagojevich does not step down he thinks the impeachment process could be completed by Jan. 14 - the day the new General Assembly takes office
* 11:48 AM - House Speaker Michael Madigan has scheduled a press conference for noon today.
* 12:04 PM - Madigan announced the creation of a select committee on inquiry. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie will chair. Justice Alan Grieman will serve as special counsel to the Speaker.
* Madigan says he wants the committee to meet every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Even and New Years Day.
The committee will establish the standards for impeachment, Madigan said.
MJM: The Governor will be afforded full rights under the state and federal constitutions.
MJM: We will attach the affidavit (to the record that’s sent to the Senate). We plan to ask the US Attorney to cooperate.
“We plan to proceed without delay.”
MJM: Abuse of power is one avenue they will pursue.
MJM: We’ve been reviewing grounds for impeachment for about a year. We never came to a judgment that impeachment was appropriate until the events of six days ago.
Madigan said that since he’s watched the governor operate for the past six years, he was not surprised at anything in the criminal complaint.
MJM said that the House Dem caucus would discuss a special election to fill the vacant Senate seat during a meeting this afternoon.
The impeachment committee will hold hearings in Statehouse Room 114 and the hearings will be open to the public.
MJM: We can’t give you a specific answer on the time line.
Madigan said they will ask for an “offer of proof” from people who testify to the impeachment committee.
An impeachment resolution will be voted on today. The resolution will create the committee of inquiry.
The committee will have 21 members. 12 Democrats and 9 Republicans.
Asked several times about his co-chairing of Blagojevich’s 2006 campaign, Madigan finally said: I can’t say I knew he was under intense scrutiny at the time.
We’re not going to trample anyone’s constitutional rights in the process.
Impeachment inquiry will be paid for out of the existing House budget.
Quite possible that impeachment could overshadow everything during the upcoming session, which is why he wants things started right away.