Quinn inks law forbidding profits to impeached politicians

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has a book coming out soon, but his replacement offered up a new chapter Tuesday.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law prohibiting elected officials from profiting from their crimes if they are removed from office for breaking the law or if they are impeached and convicted of official misconduct. As written, the attorney general can sue to recover any profits from book deals, movies, television programs or other projects traceable to illegal activities committed while holding office.

The law, sponsored in the Illinois House by Marengo Democrat Jack Franks and in the Senate by Waukegan Democrat Terry Link, was overwhelming approved this spring by lawmakers. The Senate vote was 59-0 and the House approved it 112-2. Only state Rep. Annazette Collins, a Chicago Democrat, and state Rep. Deb Mell, Blagojevich's sister-in-law, voted "no."

While clearly inspired by Blagojevich, the new law applies to all elected officials and bars them from profiting from crimes connected to official actions.

Blagojevich has what's been touted as a tell-all book about his experience in Illinois politics coming out soon. He was removed from office earlier this year after being arrested on federal charges of trying to profit from his ability to pick Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.