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Illinois House impeaches Blagojevich

(UPI file photo, Bill Greenblatt)

By IPR/AP

Springfield, Ill. – Driven by anger and politics, the Illinois House has voted to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The unprecedented action sets the stage for a Senate trial on whether the Democrat should be thrown out of office for corruption and abuse of power. It's the first time in state history a governor has been impeached.

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, and never appeared in front of the panel that recommended impeachment, saying the vote was a foregone conclusion.

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.

It will likely take a few weeks for the Senate to set up the procedures for an impeachment trial.

Governor Blagojevich says he wasn't surprised by the Illinois House vote to impeach him and he's confident that he'll be "properly exonerated." The governor spoke to reporters in Chicago just hours after members of the House voted to impeach him.

He touted his accomplishments on issues such as health care, and he reiterated that he's "not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing."

During the Friday afternoon news conference, Blagojevich says he's long had problems with members of the Illinois House and he contends his impeachment is related to their ongoing dispute.

Listen to Governor Blagojevich's Press Conference:

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