Illinois Attorney General Seeks Court Declaration That Blagojevich Unfit For Office

Someone had to act, and apparently it starts with the Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan.

In an unprecedented move, the Illinois attorney general filed a motion with the state's highest court Friday asking justices 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.

"I recognize that this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances," Madigan said at a news conference.

It was not immediately clear when the Supreme Court might take up the matter. The justices also have the discretion to deny the attorney general's request.

The move came as the governor prayed with several ministers in his home before heading to his office, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," according to one of the pastors.

Of course, one has to wonder just how closely Madigan was looking at corruption in the Governor office for the years prior to this moment. Blagojevich's corruption started before the news broke of Blagojevich's attempts to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat for personal profit. There are years worth of corruption and scandal involving Blagojevich; this didn't come out of the blue. Where was law enforcement until now?

Still, the Illinois Supreme Court isn't likely to intervene, and will likely let the Illinois Legislature deal with the mess. The feds could spur things along with additional indictments and plea deals among others likely involved in the corruption alongside Blagojevich including Tony Rezko. If they start naming names, everyone may seek cover and refuge by cutting deals themselves.

That said, Blagojevich isn't going to resign on his own or under pressure now. The only way he's resign is as a part of a plea deal to reduce his prison sentence. His office is the one great playing card he has left, and he's going to milk it for what it's worth - a shorter stay in Club Fed. If he resigned now, he'd lose that playing card, and with it a chance at a shorter prison sentence.

UPDATE:
Madigan is also mentioned in the wiretap transcripts, but no wrongdoing is alleged. Meanwhile, John Harris, Blagojevich's Chief of Staff, has resigned. Harris was indicted alongside Blagojevich, so this likely means that Harris got his golden parachute - trading his resignation for cooperation and a recommendations for a lighter sentence from the feds.

The rats are fleeing the sinking ship, and I have to believe many are talking with the feds and hoping to cut deals on their own.

UPDATE:
Let's further recall that Illinois Deputy Gov. Bob Greenlee resigned as well.