Local reps: Burris must go
By KEVIN CRAVER
-
kcraver@nwherald.com
McHenry County's state legislators joined the growing bipartisan chorus asking Democratic U.S. Sen. Roland Burris to step down.
Its four Republicans and one Democrat agree that Burris' conflicting statements regarding his dealings with associates of disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich are grounds for him to resign. They also said that Burris' actions are further hurting a state shattered by Blagojevich's arrest, impeachment and removal from office.
"I think he should resign. I don't think he should be in that seat," said State Sen. Dan Duffy, R-Lake Barrington. "He hasn't been truthful and upfront since the beginning. He's changed his story, what, three, four times?"
It's Burris' ever-changing version of events, in several cases under oath, that has a growing number of state officials saying that enough is enough. But that's about all they can do, because they have no authority to unseat him.
Burris faced an uphill public opinion climb from the start, when Blagojevich chose him Dec. 30 to serve the remaining two years of President Barack Obama's term. Blagojevich had been arrested weeks before on corruption charges that include allegedly selling the seat for money or jobs for him and his wife.
State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, held a news conference with fellow Rep. Susana Mendoza, D-Chicago, demanding that Burris quit. Franks said they chose a news conference to pressure more Democrats to do the right thing.
"I think he so wanted the Senate job that it clouded his judgment," Franks said. "Who else would have taken such a tainted appointment? And as a result, I think he's really hurt his legacy."
Burris, 71, was the first African-American elected to statewide office, and served as comptroller and attorney general. He later made unsuccessful runs for the U.S. Senate, governor and mayor of Chicago.
Assistant House Majority Leader Lou Lang, D-Skokie, also asked Burris to resign Wednesday, saying that he "... has forfeited the legislature and public's trust and confidence." Lang, Franks and Mendoza were members of the House special committee that questioned Burris during their investigation into whether to impeach Blagojevich.
"I really think he should resign, partly in light of our recent past actions with former governor Blagojevich, and our moving forward in an attempt in time to clean up the state of Illinois," said State Sen. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry.
Burris defended himself in a fiery speech Wednesday before the City Club of Chicago, and blamed the media for blowing the matter out of proportion. The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee is launching an investigation, and the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office, which has jurisdiction over the state capitol, is reviewing documents regarding Burris' testimony.
"You know the real Roland," he told the lunchtime audience. "I've done nothing wrong, and I have absolutely nothing to hide."
Local legislators disagreed, given Burris' changing version of events.
"Given that, I think, he should step down," said state Rep. Mike Tryon, R-Crystal Lake. "We in Illinois once again are on the front page of every newspaper in the country for our politics."
State Rep. Mark Beaubien, R-Wauconda, said that the entire Blagojevich/Burris episode is "an embarrassment to the state." But he said it begs the question of how the state would fill the vacant seat.
