Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich used his press conference Friday to stake a claim for his good work as chief executive of the state. Earlier that day Illinois state House of Representatives voted 114-to-1 to impeach Blagojevich.

BLAGOJEVICH: The House’s action today was not a surprise. It was a foreglone conclusion, in fact what the house did today they’ve been talking about doing for the last couple years.

The vote came exactly one month after federal authorities arrested Blagojevich at his Chicago home on charges that sold his influence as governor.  Those charges included the allegation that he attempted to sell the senate seat vacated by President elect Barack Obama.

The governor has had a combative, and often times dysfunctional, relationship with state lawmakers.  Much of the bad blood seemed to come to a head today as the house debated impeachment. State Representative Jack Franks…

FRANKS: This is my proudest moment as a legislator. I believe that we’re finally doing what we should have done a long time ago.

State Representative Susana Mendoza…

MENDOZA: His legacy will be one cloaked in shame and darkness. It’s been an ugly and shameful spectacle.  Rod Blagojevich, you should be ashamed of yourself.  But I won’t pretend to think that you feel any. You’ve already shown us you have none.

Blagojevich maintained his innocence.

BLAGOJEVICH: I’m confident that at the end of the day I will be properly exonerated.

With approval from the house, the matter will now go to the state senate where the state supreme court will oversee a trial.