Rod Blagojevich

Illinois senators stripped Gov. Rod Blagojevich of power Thursday in the final act of a political drama that handed the reins of state government to his estranged lieutenant governor, Pat Quinn, and likely will end Blagojevich's career in politics.

The governor's impeachment was triggered by his arrest last month on a variety of federal corruption charges. The criminal complaint against him included a long list of shocking quotes related to Blagojevich's apparent attempt to auction off President Obama's former U.S. Senate seat and pressure people for campaign donations.

"For months, the state had been crippled by a crisis of leadership," Obama said. "Now that cloud has lifted. I wish Governor Quinn the best and pledge my full cooperation as he undertakes his new responsibilities The former governor had refused to take part in the state Senate trial, but he surprised everyone by asking to make a closing statement Thursday, in which he insisted that he should not be tossed out of office on what he called incomplete evidence.

Patrick Quinn

Pat Quinn has been sworn in as Illinois' new governor. Quinn took the oath of office moments after the state Senate voted to remove Rod Blagojevich, who was ousted on charges of abuse of power.In fact, Quinn has said the men have not spoken in more than a year, and Blagojevich said last year that Quinn was not even part of his administration.


"His priorities include advocating for taxpayers and consumers, protecting the environment, promoting decent health care, and helping members of the armed services and their families," his official Web site said.He served a term as Illinois state treasurer from 1991 to 1995, leaving office after an unsuccessful campaign for secretary of state in 1994.

Quinn is a 60-year-old former state treasurer and tax attorney. He is best known for his efforts to cut big government and protect the little guy. One of the most pressing issues for him is the state's deficit of more than $3 billion.His political career began in Chicago in 1982 when Quinn, then a practicing tax attorney, was elected Commissioner of the Cook County Board of (Property) Tax Appeals.