SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An effort to oust Democrat Roland Burris from his appointment as a U.S. senator was voted down Thursday by Illinois lawmakers.
A state Senate subcommittee voted 3-2 along party lines to reject the plan, which would have ended Burris’ appointment and called for a special election.
Democrats, who estimated an election could cost up to $100 million — double the amount earlier discussed — said it would cost too much. Some also accused Republicans of unfairly targeting the nation’s only black senator.
Republicans argued that Burris was tarnished by accepting an appointment from disgraced former Democratic Gov. Rod Blago jevich. Burris has repeatedly changed his story about his contact with Blagojevich’s friends and aides before he was appointed.
