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Blagojevich loses classified security access
Officials today said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revoked Gov. Rod Blagojevich's access to classified federal security information.Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero tonight called the move "pretty standard procedure." He says there are still a number of other state officials with access. Also today, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said he is calling lawmakers back to Springfield next week for a possible vote on impeaching Blagojevich. About the security access, Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson said that the head of the Illinois State Police and Illinois Emergency Management Agency have access to federal security intelligence and could relay it to the governor. Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa confirmed the revocation. But she declined to comment further. Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on corruption charges that included allegations he sought to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. The governor denies any wrongdoing. A House special investigative committee weighing whether to recommend impeachment is scheduled to continue its hearing Tuesday, a day after U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald is to ask a judge whether the panel can hear some of the covert recordings made of Blagojevich. Today, Madigan issued a letter telling all lawmakers to be back at the Statehouse in Springfield Wednesday. The letter says the House may be called to vote on the panel's report next week. Madigan told his House colleagues they may need to be in session every day through Jan. 13. The governor named former state Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to the seat this week, adding fuel to critics' calls to impeach him as soon as possible. Burris' appointment is expected to be challenged by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who does not want anyone appointment by the embattled governor to take a seat in the U.S. Senate. Also Friday, the House panel considering impeachment will invite Burris to testify, said a spokesman for Speaker Michael Madigan. It's unclear, however, when that would take place. Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), the minority spokesman on the impeachment panel, said his staff reached out to Burris aides to ask for him to appear before the committee to explain how his appointment came about. Durkin said part of the impeachment panel's case deals with federal allegations that the governor sought to auction the U.S. Senate seat that Blagojevich has now given to Burris. "It's extremely important that Mr. Burris appear before our committee and explain to us the nature or the circumstances on which this appointment happened," Durkin said. "He needs to tell the people of the state under oath--and I hope this is the situation--that he had clean hands in this appointment," Durkin said. "He owes us and he owes the people of the state some assurance." Posted by: Fred 2009-01-03 |
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