Key moments in Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich's time in office and downfall:
_Jan. 13, 2003: Sworn in.
_June 30, 2006: U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says he has witnesses to "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" in the Blagojevich administration.
_Nov. 7, 2006: Blagojevich is re-elected, handily beating Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka.
_Dec. 9, 2008: Federal agents arrest Blagojevich on corruption charges that include an alleged effort to sell or trade President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder.
_Dec. 17, 2008: Illinois Supreme Court rejects state attorney general's effort to remove Blagojevich from office. She had argued the governor's legal and political troubles amounted to a disability.
_Dec. 19, 2008: Blagojevich proclaims his innocence, says he will not resign.
_Dec. 30, 2008: Blagojevich names former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace Obama in the Senate. Senators at first suggest they will block him, but he is later sworn in.
_Jan. 9, 2009: Illinois House votes 114-1 to impeach Blagojevich, first Illinois governor in history to be impeached.
_Jan. 26, 2009: Illinois Senate opens impeachment trial. Blagojevich, claiming trial is unfair, goes on media blitz in New York to proclaim his innocence.
_Jan. 29, 2009: Illinois Senate votes unanimously to remove Blagojevich from office and bar him from holding office in the future. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn sworn in as governor.
Source: AP News
