Illinois Governor Job Senate Unfair Influence Blagojevich Receive

Rod Blagojevich was the Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009, but he was "arrested" (taken to jail for having broken the law) on corruption "charges" (accusations; claims of having done something illegal) on December 9, 2008. Specifically, he was arrested for "solicitation" (requesting or asking for something) of bribery in "pay-to-play schemes," in which people are asked to give money to a politician secretly in order to receive a particular job or participate in a particular committee.

When Barack Obama became the President of the United States, his "Senate" (one-half of the law-making part of the U.S. government) "seat" (position) for the state of Illinois was left "vacant" (empty). In this situation, the governor has the power to "appoint" (decide who should have a particular government position or job) a "successor" (the next person to receive something - in this case, the Senate seat). This decision should be based on an individual's qualifications, such as education and experience. However, Governor Blagojevich tried to "auction off" (sell) the seat to the "highest bidder" (the person willing to pay the most for something).

He won't "be tried" (have a trial in a courtroom) until June 2010, but he has already been punished for his unethical actions. On January 8, 2009, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to "impeach" (take away a high-powered politician's job) Governor Blagojevich. On January 29, 2009, the Illinois Senate made the same decision, so he was "removed from office" (he lost his job as governor) on that day. The Illinois Senate also voted to prevent him from ever "holding" (having) another "public office" (government job) in the State of Illinois.