January 8, 2009 Ill. House panel recommends governor's impeachment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois House committee has unanimously recommended that Gov. Rod Blagojevich be impeached for abuse of power.

The decision sets the stage for the full House to take action Friday and make Blagojevich the first governor impeached in Illinois history.

The 21-member committee began studying impeachment after the Democratic governor was arrested on a variety of federal corruption charges.

The panel based its recommendation on those charges and other allegations of misconduct by Blagojevich. They include evidence he circumvented state hiring laws, misspent tax money and expanded programs without proper authority.

If the House impeaches Blagojevich, the Senate would then conduct a trial on whether he should be removed from office.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)