国际英语新闻：Illinois lawmaker calls for solution for Obama's senator seat

Chicago, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- An Illinois state lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that will offer a solution for Illinois' empty Senate seat left by President-elect Barack Obama, a local radio reported Friday.

    Chicago Democrat Will Burns said he would put forth a bill in January that calls for the Illinois House and Senate to confirm the gubernatorial appointee, the Chicago Public radio reported.

    His proposal calls for two public hearings on the governor's appointee. That person would then have to be approved by both chambers in Springfield. If passed, the new law would be limited to the Obama vacancy.

    Governor Rod Blagojevich is supposed to appoint Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. But Blagojevich is under a federal cloud of alleged corruption. And so the question remains on how this position will be filled.

Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois arrives to address questions about charges brought against him of conspiracy and bribery, including allegations he was seeking to benefit financially from his appointment of a successor to the U.S. Senate seat that was vacated by President-elect Barack Obama during a news conference in Chicago, December 19, 2008.

    According to a report by Associated Press from Springfield, the capital city of Illinois State, Blagojevich is supposed to be in federal court on Jan. 14 in Chicago. He also has the constitutional duty that day to preside over the state Senate in Springfield as new members are sworn in.

    Although Blagojevich has been accused of corruption, he still, under the state law, has the power to appoint a person to fill the vacancy of the Senator seat left by Obama.

    Explaining the proposal, Burns said, balancing the fiscal problems the state is facing with the need for more disclosure and a better process, this hybrid proposal provides the public with more transparency.

    Some state lawmakers have called for holding a special election as a solution for the issue, but Burns said a special election would be too costly.