From the Bloomington Pantagraph:
Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Lawmaker calls for governor to resign
By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
Advertisement
SPRINGFIELD — A state senator who has a history of confrontations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich called on the governor to resign Wednesday.
State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said revelations about corruption that are surfacing in the federal trial of one of the governor’s former top advisers are the main reason he wants Blagojevich to step down.
“No one has confidence in the man,” Jacobs said.
Blagojevich, a Chicago Democrat, was in Springfield for a rare visit Wednesday. He did not make any public appearances. A spokeswoman for the governor scoffed at Jacobs’ comments.
“State capitols are known for being full of hot air. That’s all this is,” said Rebecca Rausch
In addition to ongoing testimony in the trial of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, Jacobs criticized the governor’s management style and the current fiscal condition of the state, which has prompted Blagojevich to threaten universities and agriculture programs with funding cuts.
“The governor has mismanaged the ship,” Jacobs said.
Blagojevich has been battling with his fellow Democrats since being elected to a second term in 2006.
Jacobs call comes a day after the Illinois House approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would let voters recall the governor and other state politicians.
The measure must be approved by the Senate, but it appears doubtful it will come up for a vote in that chamber, which is controlled by Blagojevich’s closest legislative ally, Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.
Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said Jacobs’ comments are another sign of the “dysfunctional” Democratic leadership of the state.
“The governor is just an easy target right now. It’s easy to point a finger at a guy no one likes,” Schuh said.
University of Illinois-Springfield political scientist Chris Mooney said Jacobs’ comments are a sympton of the frustration lawmakers are having with the governor.
“They’re just not happy,” Mooney said.
Jacobs did not make a formal request to the governor. Rather, he stopped in at various offices in the Statehouse pressroom and talked with individual reporters about his idea.
“I’m working the press,” Jacobs said.
It’s not the first time Jacobs has faced off with the governor.
In June, he said the governor acted like a “spoiled child” during a meeting concerning the state budget. At the time, Jacobs threatened to run for governor.
On Wednesday, he said he doesn’t want the job.
“I don’t have any interest in being governor,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs faces Republican Michael Bertelson of Aledo in the November election.