I don’t want to jump to conclusions before all the facts are in, but it’s beginning to look like Springfield is in shambles.

But perhaps that’s just me. Other people may enjoy having the executive branch of our state government completely dysfunctional, the legislative branch incompetent and the judicial branch unresponsive.

A lawsuit filed by Adam Andrzejewski of Elmhurst last month proves my point. Andrzejewski founded ForTheGoodOfIllinois.org, a Web site that chronicles the efforts of some government bodies to provide true transparency in their actions.

On Dec. 12, 2008, Andrzejewski was joined by John Tillman and John Bambenek in filing a complaint with the Illinois Supreme Court, asking the justices to declare Gov. Rod Blagojevich unfit for office. Seeing that the cloud of suspicion over Blagojevich intensified dramatically after his arrest on corruption charges last month, the argument that he couldn’t carry out his duties seemed pretty obvious.

“Our motivations in filing this suit were simple. First, the people of Illinois are being harmed by the lack of representation in the U.S. Senate during a time of national crisis,” Andrzejewski said. “Second, the state government in Illinois is in political and functional gridlock. ... Illinois citizens need to reassert control over their government. Our suit would have provided Illinois citizens with standing and would have brought transparency to the process of removing the governor.”

That Andrzejewski, Tillman and Bambenek thought it necessary to take legal action to have Blagojevich removed from office speaks to the dysfunction in the executive branch. That the Illinois General Assembly bypassed the chance to strip Blagojevich of his powers and call for a special election shows its incompetence. And that the Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit, as well as a similar complaint filed by Attorney General Lisa Madigan, demonstrates its unresponsiveness.

It’s good that Andrzejewski, Tillman and Bambenek brought this lawsuit — at least someone tried to do something about this situation — while I’m disappointed the Supreme Court dismissed it

And Blagojevich recently fulfilled another of his responsibilities, filling the U.S. Senate vacancy he is accused of attempting to auction to the highest bidder.

“Roland Burris was smart to accept the appointment; he should be seated,” Andrzejewski said. I agree Burris has a right to be seated as a senator. But that Blagojevich was allowed to remain in office and make the appointment is a travesty.

Jerry Moore is a news editor with Suburban Life Publications and can be contacted at jmoore@mysuburbanlife.com. His blog, Suburban Shoutout, can be found at www.mysuburbanlife.com.

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