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Senate vacancy
PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:18pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008
66 comments

Just Two Weeks Ago, Burris Called Blago Allegations "Appalling" And "Reprehensible" (UPDATED)

Roland Burris

Wow.  Just out from the Tribune: Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:02pm
Mon Dec 29, 2008
7 comments

Appoint, Then Confirm: An Alternative Senate Selection Process

State Legislature

The public does not like appointments to elected offices.  Whether it’s a group of committeemen, the mayor of a city, or the governor -- the appointment process never seems or feels completely fair.  For starters, the preliminary interviews and vetting typically occur behind ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:44am
Fri Dec 19, 2008
1 comment

Mikva Would Back Schakowsky In A Special Election (UPDATED)

Jan Schakowsky

Talking to the Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet, Ab Mikva said that if there is ultimately a special election to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate Seat, he's supporting Rep. Jan Schakowsky:

Abner Mikva, the gold standard for integrity in Illinois politics, told
me ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
7:39pm
Wed Dec 17, 2008

Genson: Blagojevich Won't Appoint Next Senator (UPDATED)

Rod Blagojevich

Yesterday, Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero freaked everyone out with this comment about the governor's power to appoint the next U.S. Senator from Illinois: "It is still his responsibility until otherwise the powers are taken from him or not. ... The powers remain ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:42am
Tue Dec 16, 2008

Speaker Madigan: Special Election "Still Under Consideration"

Senate vacancy

Last night, the Illinois House unanimously passed a resolution launching their impeachment inquiry, while deferring the question of whether to strip Gov. Blagojevich of his power to appoint Barack Obama's U.S. Senate successor.  Pressed about the issue on MSNBC this morning, ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
4:07pm
Mon Dec 15, 2008
3 comments

Schakowsky Addresses Quinn's Hybrid Proposal

Jan Schakowsky

On MSNBC just now, Norah O'Donnell asked Rep. Jan Schakowsky about Lt. Gov. Quinn's suggestion that a temporary replacement be appointed to Illinois' vacant U.S. Senate seat until a special election can be held.  Schakowsky didn't overtly endorse the idea, but said, "I ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:16am
Mon Dec 15, 2008
1 comment

Sun-Times: Let The Voters Choose

Senate vacancy

The Sun-Times editorial board enters the debate over how to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat:

It is time to go beyond partisan politics, to let the voters select
who they believe can best represent Illinois in the Senate -- with
diligence, competency ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:41pm
Sun Dec 14, 2008
1 comment

Quinn Open To Idea Of Senate Appointment Followed By Special Election

Jan Schakowsky

On Friday, I painted the decision over how to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat as an either/or situation: either the legislature calls a special election or Pat Quinn becomes acting governor and makes the appointment himself.  But since Friday night, Quinn has ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:06pm
Fri Dec 12, 2008
6 comments

To Elect Or Appoint? That's The Question.

Senate vacancy

Immediately following the Blagojevich arrest on Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin began pushing the idea of a special election to fill Illinois' vacant U.S. Senate seat.  At the time, there was great appetite for the proposal and numerous Democrats -- including President-elect Barack ...