SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 27 (UPI) -- Illinois lawmakers have voted to deny former Gov. Rod Blagojevich money for an official portrait in the Statehouse, officials say.

The House approved the measure 85-23 Friday, and it now goes to the Senate, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The bill would allow Blagojevich to pay for his own portrait.


"I have no desire nor intent to revise history. I also have no desire nor intent to see to it that someone who is impeached and convicted of impeachable offenses gets into the taxpayers' purse for anything," said Rep. Bill Black, a Republican and the bill's chief sponsor.

Every previous Illinois governor hangs in the Statehouse. That includes Blagojevich's immediate predecessor, George Ryan, who was convicted after leaving office of corruption while he was Illinois secretary of state.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, became internationally notorious when tapes were released suggesting he tried to sell the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama when he became president.

At least one Democrat suggested Blagojevich's picture belongs in the seat of government.

"I think actually having a portrait of all the governors is a great opportunity for young people to learn what is good and what is bad, and hopefully to guard against those things that have happened in our history that weren't so enlightened," Rep. Mike Boland said.