Posted on 06/18/2008 5:36:13 AM PDT by Libloather
Flider favors recall vote, not impeachment
By RON INGRAM & MIKE FRAZIER - H&R StaffWriters
Monday, June 16, 2008 7:57 AM CDT
State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, has voiced frustrations and disagreements with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but he thinks talk of impeaching the governor is "premature."
During a meeting with Herald & Review editors last week, Flider reacted to news reports that House Speaker Michael Madigan had circulated a memo to legislative candidates spelling out how to call for impeachment hearings.
The memo provided talking points that compared corruption under Blagojevich's administration with a tumor that must be removed.
A Madigan spokesman said the memo doesn't reflect the viewpoint of Madigan or the House Democratic caucus but was merely research for candidates.
Talk of impeaching the governor has intensified with the recent conviction of top Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko on several corruption charges.
Blagojevich has not been charged with a crime and denies knowledge of any illegal activities.
Flider supported a proposed constitutional amendment that would let voters recall the governor and other top officials. Blagojevich's allies in the Senate blocked that effort.
But Flider doesn't favor impeachment proceedings at this point.
"I feel that if he's charged with something, we need to take a look at it, but right now, I think it's a matter of performance," Flider said. "Impeachment, in my mind, should be reserved for somebody who has broken the law or been charged with something.
"I guess I believe in the democratic process and the judicial system and not proclaiming people guilty before their case has been heard. From my standpoint, as we stand here today, I would not be one rallying for impeachment hearings.
"The judicial system and federal prosecutors are investigating. I don't know enough to know exactly where that's going to lead, if it's going to lead anywhere."
The Decatur City Council did not violate the Open Meetings Act by meeting in closed session recently to discuss who to appoint as the city's new mayor.
A few community members called the Herald & Review last week alleging council members likely violated the law when they met June 2 behind closed doors to discuss a successor for Mayor Paul Osborne, who recently resigned.
But the Illinois Attorney General's Office confirmed the city council can meet in closed session to discuss filling a vacated public office.
The council, however, cannot vote for a new mayor behind closed doors. The vote must be taken in open session.
Council members announced Friday that they have selected Councilman Michael T. Carrigan to serve as mayor until the April election. The council is expected to vote Carrigan in as mayor officially at an upcoming meeting.
Carrigan will serve as mayor only until April's municipal election. At that time, voters will elect a mayor to fill Osborne's unexpired two-year term.
Osborne resigned June 1, citing health concerns and a desire to focus on his role as editor of his weekly newspaper.
The council has 60 days to appoint someone to fill Carrigan's vacated council seat.
The appointed councilman also would serve until next year's municipal election, when voters would elect someone to fill the final year of Carrigan's term.
An eligible candidate must have been a city resident for one year, of voting age, not in debt or arrears to local government and must never have been convicted of malfeasance of office, bribery or another corruption crime.
Wearing his hat as state AFL-CIO president, Carrigan issued a news release Friday detailing endorsements for the Nov. 4 general election that the 900,000-member labor organization made at its annual meeting earlier in the week.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., won unanimous endorsement with a "96 percent lifetime voting record on issues important to working families."
U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Rock Island, whose 17th District covers much of Decatur, also got the group's nod, as did Democratic candidate Colleen Callahan in the 18th District. She is vying with Republican Aaron Schock to replace retiring GOP Congressman Ray LaHood of Peoria. The 18th District encompasses the northwest corner of Macon County.
Which party is supposed to be in tatters?
Does anyone really believe that any action against the governor will be taken?
How about 5 US Supreme Court Justices who break their oath to uphold the Consitiution of the United States (or most congressmen and senators for that matter)?
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