| | Illinois House impeaches Blagojevich
 The Illinois House of Representatives has voted to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich, 114-1.
The Illinois Senate trial will begin on Jan. 26.
Blagojevich has been accused of seeking favors in exchange for an appointment to the Senate seat being vacated by President-Elect Barack Obama. He was arrested in connection with the case late last year by Chicago US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
A House committee had been studying the possibility of impeachment since shortly after the governor's arrest on federal corruption charges. On Thursday, the 21-member panel unanimously recommended impeachment, saying Blagojevich has abused his power and mismanaged the state.
"He's mortally wounded politically and cannot lead our state. His political life is over," said Rep. Jack Franks, a Democrat.
House members found evidence that the two-term Democrat had abused his power, including improperly spending tax money, adopting programs without legislative approval and violating state hiring laws. He's denied wrongdoing.
The House began impeachment proceedings after federal authorities arrested Blagojevich Dec. 9. He's accused, among other things, of attempting to sell an appointment to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat for political favors.
DEVELOPING....
Blagojevich goes jogging after being impeached
This video is from MSNBC's News Live, broadcast Jan. 9, 2009.
Download video via RawReplay.com
With AP.
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