IL House Committee Drafts Report Recommending Impeachment Of Blagojevich

January 8, 2009 2:57 p.m. EST

Chicago, IL (AHN) - Due to what an investigative committee of the Illinois General Assembly has called "the totality of the evidence," it is being recommended in a draft report that the House of Representatives impeach embattled Illinois

Governor Rod Blagojevich. A vote on the report's recommendation may occur as early as Thursday afternoon.

If the committee votes to recommend impeachment, the full House will vote on whether to impeach the governor.

The committee is also scheduled to hear testimony Thursday afternoon from Roland Burris, the former Illinois Attorney General who Blagojevich appointed to succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate.

While Burris is not accused of engaging in "pay-to-play" political schemes with Blagojevich, his recommendation is seen by many to be tainted as a result of Blagojevich's Dec. 9 arrest amid federal corruption allegations.

A Chicago federal judge ruled that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who is charge of the federal case against Blagojevich, has until April 7 to decide whether to formally charge the Illinois governor.

Despite repeated calls for his resignation, Gov. Blagojevich continues to serve as governor and denies any wrongdoing.