Dan Rutherford

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says he's beginning the process of impeaching Gov. Blagojevich, who is facing federal charges that he put President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat up for sale

In a press conference in Springfield this afternoon, Madigan (D-Chicago) announced a 21-member committee of state House members -- 12 Democrats and 9 Republicans -- who will prepare a report detailing reasons the Legislature should remove Blagojevich from office.

"We plan to proceed without delay," Madigan said, adding the impeachment case will be based on the governor's "abuse of power" dating back to Blagojevich's early days in office.

Madigan said his staff has been reviewing the legal possibilities for impeachment for about a year. But he cautioned that doesn't mean the House will be able to reach a quick decision.

The governor, who remained defiant and returned to work Monday to sign a tax credit bill, had no immediate reaction to the impeachment committee, spokesman Lucio Guerrero said after Madigan's announcement.

"Impeachment talk is nothing new for this governor," Guerrero said. "They've been talking about it for a long time."

The committee will begin its work on Tuesday and continue through the end of year, with the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Madigan said.

The governor, Madigan said, will have every opportunity to exercise his due process rights, including the opportunity to appear before the committee.

The governor also could send a representative, Madigan said.

Once an impeachment case is prepared and passes the House, Blagojevich would face an impeachment trial in the Senate.

Top Chicago criminal defense attorney Ed Genson was quoted by the Associated Press today saying that, if hired by Blagojevich, he'll represent the governor in any potential impeachment proceedings as well as his federal corruption case.

Madigan did not join the chorus of officials calling for Blagojevich's resignation or say whether he thinks the governor should be impeached, saying he should remain neutral because he would preside over any impeachment debate.

But he did not back away from his role as one of the governor's harshest critics, saying he's not surprised by the federal allegations. Madigan, who once co-chaired Blagojevich's re-election campaign, often has refused to meet with Blagojevich or return his phone calls in recent months.

"I've had a chance to get to know Mr. Blagojevich over six years, so I was not surprised," Madigan said. "In light of what we've all seen ... how can anyone be surprised?"

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