Quinn strips Blagojevich of security detail
By The Associated Press
CHICAGO – Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is on his own.
Gov. Pat Quinn canceled Blagojevich's security detail Thursday shortly after Blagojevich was removed from office by the state Senate.
Blagojevich became a private citizen again when the Senate voted to boot him after an impeachment trial triggered by his arrest last month on federal corruption charges.
Former Republican Gov. Jim Thompson said it was customary in Illinois to extend security to a former governor for one year to ease the transition to private life. The security team provides protection and drives the ex-governor around.
But Quinn said the state police superintendent agreed with his decision to end Blagojevich's protection, considering the circumstances of Blagojevich's removal.
Gov.'s brother says mood somber: At Springfield, Gov. Pat Quinn's brother said the mood was somber when Quinn took the oath of office as governor.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke delivered the oath to Quinn in a ceremony for his family in his old lieutenant governor's office.
Quinn's brother John acknowledges that his older brother had a big job ahead of him, but he said his brother was up to it.
Pat Quinn's mother, Eileen Quinn said her son had a "deep concern" for the needs of the people of the state. She calls her 60-year-old son a "very capable person" who – with prayers and help – would achieve his purpose.
