was being prepared , and the lawmakers said they expected the process -- the state House would bring charges against Blagojevich and he would be tried by the state Senate -- would take `` a matter of weeks rather than months . '' The lawmakers ' move coincided with increasing calls for Blagojevich 's resignation . President-elect Barack Obama called again Thursday for Blagojevich to step down , saying the embattled governor can no longer effectively serve the people of Illinois . Watch as Obama says Senate seat belongs to the people '' `` I hope that the governor himself comes to the conclusion that he can no longer effectively serve and that he does resign , '' Obama said , speaking before announcing his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle . Obama said he was as `` appalled and disappointed as anyone '' by the allegations against the Democratic governor , and said he was confident his staff was not involved in the alleged scandal . Federal officials said Blagojevich was looking to sell or trade Obama 's open seat in the U.S. Senate . Obama said he
CHICAGO , Illinois -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Key Illinois Democratic legislators are circulating a letter urging support for the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich , who was arrested this week on federal corruption charges relating in part to the selection of President-elect Barack Obama 's successor as a U.S. senator . Barack Obama says he has never spoken with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich about the vacant Senate seat . State Rep. John Fritchey , head of the House Civil Judiciary Committee , sent the letter Thursday asking Democratic colleagues to say by Friday whether they support a move for impeachment and would like to be added as a co-sponsor of legislation . Blagojevich also is a Democrat . `` Faced with a significant budget shortfall , a national recession , and a vacant United States Senate seat , we can not afford to allow Illinois to operate without effective leadership in the -LSB- Illinois -RSB- executive branch , '' said the letter , also signed by Reps. Thomas Holbrook , David Miller and James Brosnahan . `` Simply put , it is imperative to replace Gov. Blagojevich as soon as is practicable . '' The letter said the impeachment filing