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Burris to testify before impeachment panel Thursday

BY KURT ERICKSON, The Southern Springfield Bureau

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 4:22 PM CST

SPRINGFIELD -- Fresh off his failure to get seated in the U.S. Senate, former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris will testify Thursday in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment hearings.

Burris, 71, is expected to outline the events that led up to his being appointed to the seat by the scandal-tainted chief executive, including a conversation with Blagojevich's criminal defense attorney about taking the job if it was offered.

Burris' testimony could be the final piece of evidence taken by members of a 21-member special House committee charged with determining whether the full House should impeach Blagojevich.

Members of the panel have met for six days and compiled volumes of material aimed at guiding them on the impeachment question. A transcript of federal wiretap showing Blagojevich allegedly attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat is among the evidence.

Several committee members surveyed Tuesday say Burris' testimony isn't necessary for them to make a decision.

''Every bit of evidence we get is helpful, but I've been prepared to move forward,'' said state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet.

Asked if he needs to hear Burris' testimony before making a decision, state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, had a one word answer: ''No.''

State Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill, who serves as an alternate on the panel, had a similar response.

''If the need arises, I'm prepared to make a decision,'' said Reis.

State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, said, ''I don't think anything Roland Burris tells us will surprise us.''

The committee also is expected to learn Thursday whether they will have access to the secret tape recordings federal prosecutors made of Blagojevich. For now, they have just the written transcripts.

But, like Burris' appearance, most committee members indicated Tuesday that they've made up their minds.

''With or without those tapes, I believe the committee will move forward,'' Brady said.

''I'm comfortable with the fact that we do have the written transcripts,'' added Reis.

The committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday and Thursday, with the full House also returning to action on Thursday. That could pave the way for an impeachment vote in the full House by week's end.

''It's conceivable that a vote could come as early as Thursday,'' Brady said.