Who's who in the impeachment trial of Gov. Blagojevich
SPRINGFIELD - The cast of characters in the Senate's impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich are well-known players in the marble halls of the state Capitol, but they largely unknown outside of Springfield. Here's a look at who they are and why they matter:
Who: Chief Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald
Importance: State Constitution puts him in charge of running the impeachment trial.
What else to know: A Democrat from Chicago, Fitzgerald was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in 2000 and began a three-year stint as chief justice in September 2008. Fitzgerald graduated from Chicago's John Marshall Law School and, like Blagojevich, began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Who: Senate President John J. Cullerton
Importance: Cullerton is the man really in charge of the Senate.
What else to know: Cullerton was elected Senate president earlier this month, replacing Blagojevich ally Emil Jones Jr., who retired. Cullerton lives just two blocks east of Blagojevich on Sunnyside Avenue on Chicago's North Side. He leads the 37 Democrats in the 59-member Senate, and chaired the committee that set up the rules for the impeachment trial, based on the rules used in the 1999 U.S. Senate trial that acquitted President Bill Clinton.
Who: House Prosecutor David Ellis
Importance: Ellis will make the case to remove Blagojevich from office.
What else to know: During the trial, Ellis will call witnesses and introduce evidence in order to try to prove Blagojevich abused the power of his office. A lawyer in the office of House Speaker Michael Madigan, Ellis wrote the 61-page committee report the House used to impeach Blagojevich. Ellis is also an award-winning novelist who has written five legal thrillers. Ellis said of the Blagojevich saga, "I'm not sure anyone would believe it if I put it in a book."
Who: Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno
Importance: Radogno leads the 22 Republicans in the Illinois Senate.
What else to know: Unlike President Clinton's impeachment trial, where the votes largely fell on partisan lines, the push to remove Blagojevich has been led by Democrats. However, removing the governor requires at least 40 votes, so some Republican votes will be necessary to take out Blagojevich. Radogno, of southwest suburban Lemont, became the Republican leader after state Sen. Frank Watson suffered a stroke last year and gave up the post.
Who: State Rep. Jim Durkin
Importance: Durkin was the top Republican on the House impeachment investigation committee.
What else to know: He's one of eight House members subpoenaed by Ellis to testify in the Senate trial. A Western Springs Republican, Durkin will present details about Blagojevich's attempt to sell President Barack Obama's former seat in the U.S. Senate, the most explosive charge against the governor.
Who: State Rep. Jack D. Franks
Importance: Franks will testify about the governor's botched purchase of foreign flu shots.
What else to know: A longtime vocal critic of Blagojevich, the Marengo Democrat reportedly considered challenging Blagojevich in the 2006 primary.
What: Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).
Importance: The committee approves the rules that put laws into effect but the governor routinely ignores its actions.
What else to know: Referred to as "jay-car," the committee rejected the governor's attempt to expand health-care programs without lawmakers' approval. The governor ignored the vote and did it anyway. That's part of the abuse of power charge in the impeachment trial.
Who: No show
Importance: The governor's defense attorney
What else to know: The governor's defense team says it will not participate in the trial, calling the rules and process unfair. The governor has yet to explain his arrest or actions to the public.