In like Quinn: Lt. gov and family head to Springfield, Blago's bags packed

Barring a tumultuous turn of events, the Rod Blagojevich era in Illinois will end this afternoon.

And the lieutenant governor, Patrick Quinn, is ready, the Chicago Sun-Times tells us:

The Bible is ready. The oath has been prepared. The lieutenant governor and his family are on their way to Springfield. And the current governor's belongings are boxed up and waiting to be picked up at the Executive Mansion.

"I definitely plan to be in Springfield and I will be ready," Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn told the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday. Quinn said he has been careful not to be "presumptuous" over the last seven weeks as the Legislature has marched toward today's expected impeachment and removal from office of Gov. Blagojevich.

But, Quinn said, "You have to be ready. If you run for this office, you have to be on your toes."

If the Illinois Senate votes to remove Blagojevich from office, Quinn will immediately head with his mother, sons and supporters to the state House chamber and place his hand on a Bible while his longtime friend, Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, will administer an oath of office prepared by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Blago has belongings in the governor's mansion? I didn't know that. In the 150 years the house has been the official residence of Illinois' chief executive, he is (soon was) the first governor to choose not to live there.

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