Springfield, IL – The president of the Illinois Senate says Governor Rod Blagojevich wants to make a statement at his impeachment trial.
President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) told Senators Wednesday that the governor has asked to offer a closing statement at the trial on Thursday. Cullerton says Blagojevich is not asking to testify, which would involve answering questions from senators.
Cullerton recommended that the Senate allow Blagojevich to speak. That view was supported by the Senate's top Republican, Christine Radogno (R-Lemont).
Blagojevich has refused to take part in the trial so far. He has said its rules are unfair and he's done nothing wrong.
Meanwhile, the trial continued to move along without the governor. Impeachment prosecutor David Ellis opened the third day of the Senate trial with plans to trim his list of witnesses to avoid repeating material.
Radogno urged Ellis to present all of the witnesses so senators can reach a fair decision on whether to remove Blagojevich from office. However, Cullerton says there's little need to simply recap material already available in documents or from earlier witnesses.
Blagojevich is accused of violating the state Constitution by defying the Legislature, evading state hiring laws and wasting tax dollars. He's denied any wrongdoing.
Thanks to The Associated Press