Mattoon senator says Blagojevich 'didn't speak truthfully'

He hopes Quinn will reopen state parks

By: Matt Hopf / News Editor

Posted: 2/2/09

State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's speech in front of the Illinois Senate on Thursday was just a political speech.

"As a theatrical performance, he got an A plus," Righter said.

As a closing argument for a trial where he should try to convince the jury to acquit, Blagojevich received an F, he said.

"He didn't speak truthfully," Righter said.

Blagojevich was removed from office Thursday after the Senate unanimously voted to convict him after a four-day impeachment trial.

On Gov. Pat Quinn, Righter said Quinn will face enormous challenges. "First, the governor has to get a fresh, clean slate," he said.

Righter said the state needs to discipline itself on spending and on avoiding tax increases. He said Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, is looking at raising the gas tax and the state income tax.

Righter said Quinn will need to look at his staff, including those who were listed in wiretap documents presented at the impeachment trial.

Quinn will also have the opportunity to release funds to reopen seven state parks and 11 state historic sites, which were closed because of budget cuts.

"The General Assembly has twice appropriated money," Righter said on reopening the parks.

Blagojevich vetoed the historic site funding twice, but left the state park funding in place the second time. The money was not released though, Righter said.

"Quinn can release the money for state parks immediately," he said. The General Assembly would have to vote on funding for the historic sites.

The Lincoln Log Cabin in Lerna lost state funding from the cuts. "It would be nice if the Lincoln Log Cabin was reopened," Righter said. Abraham Lincoln's birthday is on Feb. 12.

Quinn has said that he will live in the Executive Mansion in Springfield, unlike Blagojevich. "It's a refreshing change from his predecessor," Righter said.

This week, Quinn will travel to Washington to lobby for federal money to ensure Illinois receives an equal share from the proposed stimulus package.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7942 or at mthopf@eiu.edu.