Blago to give his own closing argument in Springfield

While watching live coverage of the Rod Blagojevich trial on CLTV, a Chicago cable news channel, Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) dropped a bombshell. Although he boycotted the first three days of his impeachment trial, Blagojevich, Cullerton told his fellow senators, will appear at his trial tomorrow. He will not testify, Cullerton explained, or allow himself to be cross-examined. Rather, Blago will give a closing argument.

That being said, it appears that the the prosecution will give its closing argument tomorrow as well, which means a blanket vote on all impeachment counts--there will not be a separate tally on each charge, could take place Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn, who is in Chicago today, plans to travel to Springfield and will be available to be sworn in as Blago's successor--if the state Senate votes to remove Blagojevich from office.

Technorati tags: Blagojevich Illinois Politics corruption Illinois Democrats legal impeachment