Local reaction to Blagojevich's impeachment
Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a Des Plaines Republican
"I am really more worried about the state and what bad governance has done to the state. We are in really bad shape heading into budget time. There certainly is enough to say he hasn't done his job and has jeopardized the state especially with the economic situation in the nation."
"He certainly has asked for this and he got it."
Rep. Carolyn Krause, a Mount Prospect Republican
"It was necessary and extremely sad for the state of Illinois, but I think it is what is best for the people of the state of Illinois."
"It will be good to see Illinois move forward."
Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg, a Vernon Hills Democrat
"It has been a difficult time for the state, but the impeachment was absolutely the right action given the findings of the committee."
"There's no question we are unable to move on while this plays out."
"I don't want people to think this solves all of our problems. We still have huge budgetary needs and a lack of resources."
Rep. Sidney Mathias, a Buffalo Grove Republican
"The report put out was very thorough. Any one item would not have been enough to impeach the governor, but when you look at the totality of it, I don't think any reasonable person would have come up with any other conclusion than to impeach the governor."
Rep. Michael W. Tryon, a Crystal Lake Republican
"I believe the decision that had to be made was clear."
"When you look at all of the issues of the last six years ... I think it was overwhelming to show cause for impeachment."
Rep. Dennis Reboletti, an Elmhurst Republican
"This is not a proud moment for the state of Illinois. Instead of the legislature working on solutions to high unemployment, a tumbling economy, home foreclosures and making sure that doctors and agencies who care for some of our most vulnerable citizens are paid in a timely fashion, we had to dedicate precious time and resources to investigate and impeach our governor."
Quotes from Gov. Rod Blagojevich's press conference, following his impeachment Friday:
"The House's actions today was of course not a surprise. It was a foregone conclusion. In fact, what the House did today they've been talking about doing for the last couple of years."
"It happened kind of fast, but again kind of expected and part of the process that has essentially been the dynamic in Illlinois since I was re-elected governor in November of 2006. From the very moment of my re-election, I've been engaged with a struggle with the House to try and get things done for people. ... The House has stood in the way of letting that happen."
"So the House's action today and the causes of the impeachment are because I've done things to fight for families that are with me here today."
On the prescription drug program he promoted: "The House is impeaching me for that. Is that an impeachable offense?"
"I took actions with the advice of lawyers and experts to find creative ways to use the executive authority of the governor to get real things done for people who rely on us. In many cases, the things we did for people literally saved lives. I don't believe those are impreachable offenses."
"I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing."
"I'm confident at the end of the day I will be exonerated."
Quoting a poem from "Ulysses" by Lord Alfred Tennyson, the governor ended his press conference by saying. "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."