CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Key Illinois Democratic legislators are circulating a letter urging support for the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested this week on federal corruption charges relating in part to the selection of President-elect Barack Obama's successor as a U.S. senator. Barack Obama says he has never spoken with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich about the vacant Senate seat. State Rep. John Fritchey, head of the House Civil Judiciary Committee, sent the letter Thursday asking Democratic colleagues to say by Friday whether they support a move for impeachment and would like to be added as a co-sponsor of legislation. Blagojevich also is a Democrat.
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Illinois legislators circulate letter to garner support for impeachment
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Barack Obama repeats call for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to step down
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President Bush believes the charges against Blagojevich are "astounding"
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Illinois attorney general says resigning is "right thing" for governor to do
Obama said he was as "appalled and disappointed as anyone" by the allegations against the @placeholder governor, and said he was confident his staff was not involved in the alleged scandal.