Burris timeline

Key dates in Roland Burris' appointment to the U.S. Senate:

Dec. 9, 2008: Gov. Rod Blagojevich is arrested by federal authorities in Chicago. He is accused of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Dec. 15, 2008: Lawmakers meet in Springfield to consider ordering a special election. Instead they start an impeachment inquiry against Blagojevich.

Dec. 30, 2008: Blagojevich appoints Roland Burris to Obama's seat. He claims it was his duty as governor to fill the seat. Then-Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn calls the appointment an "insult to the people of Illinois." Secretary of State Jesse White refuses to certify Burris' appointment.

Jan. 5, 2009: Burris flies to Washington, D.C., to take his Senate seat. Senate leaders refuse to seat Burris because White did not certify the appointment.

Jan. 8, 2009: Burris testifies before the Special Investigative Committee of the Illinois House. Burris seems to testify he spoke with only one Blagojevich aide ahead of the appointment and did not pay off anyone connected with Blagojevich for the Senate seat.

Jan. 9, 2009: The Illinois Supreme Court rules Burris became a senator when Blagojevich signed the appointment on Dec. 30. A separate signature from White is not required, the court ruled. Illinois' other senator, Dick Durbin, said Senate rules require White's signature before Burris can be seated.

Jan. 9, 2009: Blagojevich is impeached by the Illinois House of Representatives, 114-1-1.

Jan. 12, 2009: Following national outcry and suggestions of racism, Senate Democrats agree to seat Burris, who is the only black senator.

Jan. 14, 2009: For technical reasons Blagojevich is impeached by the House again, 117-1.

Jan. 15, 2009: Burris is sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Jan. 29, 2009: Following a four-day trial, Blagojevich is removed from office by the Illinois Senate, 59-0.

Feb. 4, 2009: Burris submits an affidavit to Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, chairwoman of the investigative committee, stating he now recalls talking to several people close to Blagojevich before the appointment, including Blagojevich's brother Rob who asked Burris to raise money for Blagojevich.

Feb. 14, 2009: Burris' affidavit becomes public. Republicans accuse Currie of deliberately holding up its release.

Feb. 15, 2009: Lawmakers call for an investigation into whether Burris committed perjury when he testified before the investigative committee. Burris denies any wrongdoing.

Feb. 16, 2009: Burris admits he considered raising money for Blagojevich while he was being considered for the Senate seat. Burris later told Rob Blagojevich he would not raise money for the governor while he was under consideration.

Feb. 17, 2009: House Speaker Michael Madigan turns over committee documents and transcripts of Burris' testimony to Sangamon County State's Attorney John Schmidt amid growing demand for a perjury investigation.