CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Illinois House of Representatives on Friday impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of abuse of power including an attempt to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.
The Democratic-controlled House voted 114 to one to impeach the two-term Democrat, clearing the way for a trial in the state Senate, where conviction by two-thirds of its members would result in his removal from office.
Rep. Barbara Currie, a Chicago Democrat who headed the inquiry committee that recommended impeachment, told the House Blagojevich had betrayed the public trust, "a public servant who has chosen not to serve the public ... who has betrayed his oath of office ... who is not fit to govern."
(Reporting by Michael Conlon and Andrew Stern)
