Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is continuing to act like nothing has happened and the corruption case he is involved in was just a bad dream. Although he was caught plotting to “sell” the seat left vacant in the Senate by President-elect Barack Obama in a sting set up by the Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, Mr. Blagojevich defied calls for his resignation and, on Friday, he signed a bill and met at home with several ministers.

Illinois state Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, made an emergency request to the State Supreme Court (the state’s highest court) to remove Mr. Blagojevich from power. Madigan claimed that the pervasive nature and severity of the corruption case Mr. Blagojevich is involved in has rendered him “incapable of legitimately exercising his ability as governor.”

"I recognize that this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances," Madigan said. Her request was the first such action taken in the state of Illinois’ history. The rule she applied was meant to cover cases in which a governor becomes incapable of governing due to health problems.

Mr. Blagojevich and his chief of staff, Mr. John Harris, were put under arrest on Tuesday and charged with conspiracy and soliciting bribes. Among other things, Mr. Blagojevich was recorded while talking to someone on the phone and saying that he plans to sell the Senate seat left vacant by Barack Obama, the nation’s 44th President, or to become Senator himself, a position that might have granted him access to run for United States presidency in 2016, as he said in the recorded phone conversation.

"I've got this thing [the vacant seat] and it's f***ing golden, and, uh, uh, I'm just not giving it up for f***in' nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there.”

Mr. Harris has resigned on Friday. As for Mr. Blagojevich, the democrat could go to the court and ask to be reinstated if he does not step down or if he is not impeached or convicted.