Senators begin to hear testimony in Blagojevich's Impeachment Trial

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Senate Impeachment Trial concluded its first day and the 59 Senators began to hear testimony, according to State Senator Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville).

One of the first orders of business, after convening the Senate as an impeachment tribunal, was for Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald to acknowledge that the Governor did not appear and to enter a plea of "not guilty" on his behalf. The Senate then began accepting the motions, evidence and other documents filed by the House Prosecutor.

After hearing the procedural motions the Senators then heard testimony from John Scully, who is a former federal prosecutor. Scully, a witness for the House prosecutor; testified about the federal process for investigators to obtain federal wiretaps. Senators were then afforded time to submit written questions of the witness.

Tomorrow, the Senators are expected to hear testimony from FBI Agent Dan Cain, who is running the federal investigation into Gov. Blagojevich. In addition, State Rep. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) is expected to discuss evidence that was heard during the House of Representatives' Impeach-ment proceedings.