Chicago Public Radio
Now Playing

6:30pm Marketplace
7:00pm The World
  View Schedule


Pledge Now

There are many ways to support public radio.
Submit
Pledge Now
Events
2.9.2010 Sweet Home Chicago Seminar: Classic Candy
2.9.2010 Bookstore Owners Talk Business
View full calendar
revolution in access
Feder Blog
Submit
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • unknown
City RoomTM Public Affairs coverage from our award-winning staff
News In Brief
Burris May Have Necessary Document to Become Senator


 
Bookmark and Share Share
 

Jesse White (WBEZ/Mike Rhee)
Roland Burris now may have what he needs to be seated as a U.S. Senator. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's office Friday certified a copy of a letter of appointment from Governor Rod Blagojevich. Dave Drucker is a spokesperson for White. He says Burris and his attorneys may use the certification to get him into the Senate.

DRUCKER: I think that's a distinct possibility, I would assume that they would seek to do that.  But again I have to defer to how they're going to pursue it.

Jesse White has refused to sign any appointment letter from Blagojevich, who faces federal corruption charges. But White's signature does appear on a separate document that says the appointment letter was filed with his office. Illinois Senior Senator Dick Durbin told Chicago Public Radio that may be enough for Burris to be seated in the Senate. Senate Democrats, including Durbin, have said they won't accept Burris's appointment without a signature from the Illinois Secretary of State. A statement late Friday said Senate staff "are advising Senate leadership as we consider a way forward."

Related: Burris' Appointment Letter
Related: Signed Certificate from Sec. of State's Office
Leave a comment
Stacy, Foster Park // Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 11:13 AM

Burris KNEW already that White wasn't going to sign any of corrupt Blago's appointees; Burris KNEW that the Senate wasn't going to accept ANY Senator without the Secretary of State; that has been their policy for decades, and they DON'T HAVE to change it just because a guy comes along and wants to act all surprised about all these technicalities he's facing. ANYONE who's dumb enough to accept that position from someone like Blago, when EVERYBODY knows these obstacles would happen to WHOEVER accepted it, deserves to be treated this way. Stupid!

Peter, Arlington Heights // Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 5:03 PM

Stacy, Jesse White is not the Governor. Blago is. And I would not expect the Secretary of State to usurp the powers of a sitting executive. If the Senate lets him do so, the Senate is permitting an injustice.

Mike, San Diego // Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 5:20 PM

I think Burris has been proceeding in exactly the correct way on this. The governor has not been indicted, and the Illinois house was slow to impeach him, and he is, after all, still the governor. As such, he has the power of appointment, and other entities are legally obligated to defer to his official actions, as long as they are not corrupt. Blago's sleazy politics notwithstanding, it looks like Burris will succeed in finessing the situation, and will soon represent Illinois in the US Senate. Next big question: will the Repub candidate win the special election in 2010?

Support Provided By


Become a Sponsor
Support Provided By


Become a Sponsor
Local News
Elgin Wants to Increase Bilingual Class Sizes to Fill Budget Hole

Daley Says "Silence Kills"

Universities Want State to Pay Up

The Other Lt. Gov. Pick: Is Jason Plummer Qualified?

Chicago Card Shop Gets Super Bowl Boost

Snow to get Worse in Afternoon; Southwest Cancels all Flights

Inspectors Trash More Food at Shared Kitchen



National News
Despite all the nice talk, partisanship reigns

Snow shuts down federal government, life goes on

Iran boosts nuclear enrichment, drawing warnings

NY governor says he'll step aside only 'in a box'

US poised to seize Afghan town as Taliban dig in

Murtha's death sets stage for marquee House race

Toyota seeks damage control, in public and private



International News
Health crisis in Haiti enters a deadly new phase

Haiti raises earthquake's death toll to 230,000

Haiti parents testify they gave kids to Americans

Nigeria: Vice president now acting president

Iran boosts nuclear enrichment, drawing warnings

Iran sentences another activist to death

Italian Catholic scandal draws in Pope Benedict

US poised to seize Afghan town as Taliban dig in

EU nations' reality: Greece's woes are theirs, too

Sri Lankan parliament dissolved ahead of new vote