The latest development in the Blago-picks-Burris, Burris-lies-about-contacts-with-Blago’s-people, Blago-gets-booted-out-of-office, Burris-gets-caught-lying-(multiple-times) saga is that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (ah…always nice to type that!) has now called on Roland Burris to resign his seat in the US Senate .

Oh, the wheels of Illinois politics – or even just the tireless rims at times – keep on a-spinning!

Posted By: Michael Sweeney Feb. 20, 2009 Oh, the wheels of Illinois politics – or even just the tireless rims at times – keep on a-spinning!

"At this time, we have a senator who has a cloud over his head," Quinn said at a news conference. "It's time [for Burris] to put the interest of the people of the ‘Land of Lincoln’ ahead of his own and step aside and resign from office."

There was no immediate response from Burris, but…really – does anyone think that a guy so immodest that he already had a massive self-monument erected (chiseled with details on all his "pioneering" elective accomplishments) on the plot where he will eventually be buried would just shrug and walk away from the pinnacle of his public-service career…even if the details around it are as deeply embarrassing as they have become? C’mon, Gov. Pat – you apparently don’t know the Full Roland…he ain’t going anywhere voluntarily.

Accordingly, however, the Senate Ethics Committee has launched an investigation of Burris and his actions and statements that may result in his censure (nah, dial it up there!) or even expulsion (now, THAT’s the ticket!) from the Senate.

Quinn added that he supports a bill introduced in the Illinois legislature that would set up a special election for all future US Senate vacancies…and, in almost a humorous aside, he also said of Burris, "At this time, [for him] to step away and resign [would be] a heroic act…" Yep – look out for the somewhat diminutive, 71-year-old guy zooming around in a sharp suit with an ever-growing Pinocchio nose: Our timeless hero, Sen. Roland Burris…

…Hmm – I wonder if there’s still enough room left on that premature Burris tribute monument over at Oak Woods Cemetery to chisel in another line of inscription: "First US Senator from IL – since the disgraced Frank L. Smith in the 1920s – to be kicked out of the Senate…"

For more coverage of Illinois politics, look for my regular posts here on The Stonecipher Report. (And, for a free subscription to my twice-weekly e-mail column on politics and pop-culture, "And, in the News…" send a note to: m_l_sweeney@hotmail.com)