Quinn says again Burris is a friend, but should still step down

He really likes Roland Burris - just not as a U.S. senator.

Asked about statements by the beleaguered senator's attorney indicating he had no plans to quit, Gov. Pat Quinn said Saturday he'd been friends with Burris for 37 years.

"I have the utmost respect for Roland Burris," Quinn said, adding, "it pains me to observe now ... this difficult situation."

But, "there are all kinds of ways to serve. Serving in the Senate is not the best way for Roland Burris to serve us and I think he should upon due reflection ... find a different way to serve and step aside," Quinn said.

Burris and his attorney are disputing an opinion by Attorney General Lisa Madigan indicating the General Assembly has the authority to hold a special election to replace Burris. The Chicago Democrat is being investigated by a Springfield prosecutor and the U.S. Senate over whether he committed perjury while testifying to an Illinois House panel looking into the impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Blagojevich, who appointed Burris to the Senate seat, is accused of trying to sell the position to the highest bidder.

Burris says he has done nothing wrong and he is defying calls for his resignation. He denies allegations he changed his story about discussions with Blagojevich's representatives about his Senate aspirations.

Before Burris was sworn in, debate swirled about the need to continue to have someone who is black as senator. Burris followed President Obama, the country's first black president.

Asked about that issue, Quinn said the state had been honored to have great senators in the past, from Obama to Paul Simon.

"It's important for people to have a voice in this," Quinn said, speaking at an anniversary event for The HistoryMakers, an organization that collects and archives the experiences and accomplishments of African Americans. "It's a tough time, it's an awkward time. But we must always remember in a democracy, the people come first. The office doesn't belong to the officeholder."