Rod Blagojevich is no longer Illinois’ governor. Blagojevich was ousted from office Thursday by the Illinois Senate. His removal capped a state crisis that began with his Dec. 9 arrest on corruption charges _ including that he tried to sell President Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat.
The 52-year-old Democrat gave a passionate closing statement claiming he did nothing wrong. It didn’t sway senators, who voted 59-0 to remove him for abuse of power.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn immediately becomes governor.
Blagojevich had defiantly resisted intense pressure to quit.
The Senate impeachment trial lasted four days. Blagojevich had blasted the proceedings and unfair and refused to participate until the final day.
