Ill. Puts Blago Impeachment on Fast Track

The Illinois House speaker is calling lawmakers back to session early for a possible impeachment vote on Rod Blagojevich next week, the Chicago Tribune reports. The move could help Democrats block Blago nominee Roland Burris from taking Barack Obama's Senate seat, reports the New York Times. Illinois House officials say Burris will be invited to testify in front of the impeachment committee about how he came to be appointed.

US Senate officials are hoping to delay Burris from taking his seat in the chamber until Blagojevich is removed and his successor can name a replacement. Officials also announced Friday that the Homeland Security department had revoked Blagojevich's access to classified federal security information, a move described as "pretty standard procedure" by a Blago spokesman.
(More Illinois stories.)