Illinois AG asks state high court to strip Blago of powers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an unprecedented move, the Illinois attorney general asked the state's highest court Friday to strip scandal-plagued Gov. Rod Blagojevich of his powers. Lisa Madigan took the action as pressure on the governor intensified to step down and lawmakers considered impeachment. And the fallout over the scandal continued Friday as the governor's chief of staff resigned; John Harris was arrested along with the governor on Tuesday.

Madigan said that she took the action with the Supreme Court because she thinks that this is a faster way to strip Blagojevich of his power than through impeachment, which could take several weeks.
"I recognize that this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances," Madigan said at a news conference in Chicago.

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