Secretary of State Jesse White on Wednesday formally refused to sign paperwork appointing Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate. Burris was named to the seat by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is facing an impeachment trial.
Legal experts are split on whether White’s refusal to sign the paperwork will derail Burris’ appointment, or if the Senate can get away with refusing to seat someone based on who made the appointment.
What will happen is anyone's guess since the issue is unprecedented in Illinois, according to Dennis Rendleman, assistant professor of legal studies at the UIS. Rendleman was quoted in a January 14, 2009, article in the Murphysboro American.
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