Illinois Governor, Political Corruption | featured news

Impeachment proceedings against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich begin today in the state Senate, but the embattled governor is skipping the trial and instead appearing on TV. On ABC's "Good Morning America," Blagojevich said he considered Oprah Winfrey for President Obama's Senate replacement.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, charged with trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama, said on Friday he will not take part in an impeachment trial that could remove him from office.

The new Illinois House has voted 117-1 to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich with his sister-in-law as the lone "no" vote. Rep. Deborah Mell voted Wednesday not to impeach the two-term governor. Her sister is married to Blagojevich. Wednesday's House action reaffirms the previous impeachment vote. Illinois House Speaker spokesman Steve Brown says the second impeachment vote was needed because of the upcoming Senate trial on whether to remove Blagojevich from office.