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Illinois senators say others in Blagojevich administration should be held accountable

By Amanda Vinicky, Illinois Public Radio

Springfield, Ill. – Some of the Illinois state senators who voted Rod Blagojevich out of the governor's office say more people on his staff need to be held accountable.

Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said Blagojevich's removal is a good thing for the people of Illinois, but he said the investigation must go deeper to find who else was involved with the administration's policies.

"We got the number one guy, but other people need to go before the public trust will be available to us again," Watson said.

Watson did not mention anyone by name, but it's clear that some Blagojevich advisers and appointees may soon be looking for work.

Governor Pat Quinn said he'll evaluate and review employees' performance.

"You know anybody who's working now should do their job diligently, with integrity, and we'll go forward," Quinn said.

Quinn promised an orderly transition, even though he said Blagojevich has not been cooperative.

Shortly before his removal, Blagojevich appointed a close ally, former State Representative Kurt Granberg, as the new Director of the Department of Natural Resources.

The promotion gets Granberg a higher salary and a pension bump. Critics say Blagojevich was just doing a favor for a friend.

It's likely Granberg will be one of the first Blagojevich hires to go. Governor Quinn said he wants a "natural resources professional" in the job.

MEDIA BLITZ CONTINUES

Meanwhile, Blagojevich will appear on the Late Show with David Letterman Tuesday night.

It will be the former governor's first late-night television interview since he was removed from office by a unanimous vote of the Illinois Senate on Thursday.

Blagojevich faces federal corruption charges that include trying to auction off Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat. Federal prosecutors are expected to indict him by April.

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