In a dramatic display of anger and solidarity over a political scandal that has made Illinois a national laughingstock, lawmakers on Friday voted 114-1 to impeach disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

It’s the first time in the state’s history that the Illinois House has voted to impeach its governor. The impeachment proceedings will now move to the Illinois Senate for trial. It is unclear when that will begin.

The one lawmaker voting against impeachment was Rep. Milton Patterson, a Chicago Demorcrat who represents the South Side. Rep Elga Jefferies, also a Chicago Democrat, voted present.

Before the vote, lawmakers lined up to denounce the governor. They expressed anger and embarrassment over his alleged behavior, which includes a criminal complaint that he attempted to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat.

“Due to his conduct, the governor has failed to uphold the oath of office,” Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), chair of the House panel that held impeachment hearings, said. “He is no longer capable of defending our liberties. He should be impeached.”

“The plague that has been brought upon us by Rod Blagojevich will be lifted,” said Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock). “We will no longer tolerate the culture of corruption that has seized our government. Our duty is to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that has become our government.”

“Our institiution has suffered severe damage,” said Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago). “But, our institution will rise from the ashes.”

During the House debate, Blagojevich left his house in Chicago to go for a run. He told waiting reporters: “I will see you at 2.” A spokesman for the governor said he planned to issue a statement at that time.

On Thursday, the House impeachment investigation committee voted 21-0 to send the issue to the full House for a vote. The panel released a scathing report, outlining the governor’s alleged misdeeds.

The 69-page draft report outlines all the criminal charges against Blagojevich, including his alleged plan to sell the U.S. Senate,  to withhold state assistance for the sale of Wrigley Field if Chicago Tribune editorial writers were not fired, and to shake down Children’s Memorial Hospital.

Read The Full Report (.pdf)

The report makes extensive use of the FBI’s wiretap transcripts that led to criminal charges against Blagojevich. The wiretaps reveal the governor talking about trading the vacant Obama senate seat, and calling the appointment “golden.”

The report also includes evidence that Blagojevich circumvented state hiring laws, misspent tax money and expanded programs without proper authority.

Also Thursday, the panel questioned Roland Burris about what led up to the governor’s decision to appoint Burris to the U.S. Senate.

Burris said he did not read the criminal complaint against Blagojevich, relying only on media reports, and he did not have any conversation with the governor about the legal problems.

“I feel I passed the test with flying colors” Burris said. “I have nothing to hide, and I feel that I answered all of their questions.”

The representatives asked Burris his opinion of the governor, about running against him in the Democratic primary. They asked about political contributions that Burris and his consulting firm made to the governor’s campaign fund.

Blagojevich spent Thursday in his downtown office and did not watch the hearing. He issued a statement saying that the panel’s actions were a foregone conclusion and that the whole process was flawed, biased and denied him due process, and that attorneys never got the chance to put on a defense.

Following the House vote, Secretary of State Jesse White said in a statement, “I have closely monitored the progress of the House Special Investigative Committee and today’s vote to impeach the Governor. I applaud their efforts to ensure that the process was handled fairly and professionally.”

(Source: CBS)