CHICAGO (CBS) ― In discussing the future of U.S. Sen. Roland Burris Monday morning, Gov. Pat Quinn said Burris clearly will not be resigning and, "I think we need to move on."
As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, Quinn met for about an hour with the elected officials from city, state and federal government, at the 37th Ward office, 5347 W. North Ave. The group says Quinn should not have called for Burris' resignation, and they say they hope to bring about unity in the Democratic Party.
"Burris' Senate seat is really bigger than Burris as far as race goes, because he's the only African-American Senator in the United States of America," said Ald. Walter Burnett (27th). "So this is a big deal to the African-American community."
"Our position is that he should stay in office, and we don't feel that the governor, or Senator Dick Durbin, has the wherewithal to throw him out of office," added Ald. Ed Smith (28h). "He represents this community."
The aldermen, along with U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Illinois State Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), talked with Quinn in a closed-door meeting, then allowed the media to come in to take video.
Quinn said most of the discussion centered on rebuilding the economy and creating jobs. But he conceded that Burris does not plan to step down, and now, there are other priorities, such as the state budget.
"He's not going to step aside. That's his decision. I think we need to move on from that," Quinn said. "I don't there's anything that anyone can do if he refuses to resign, now, that's his choice."
As it is now, Quinn says he wants a special election, but that isn't possible right now.
Just this past Saturday, Quinn's tone was different. At that time, he told CBS 2 he's known Burris for some 37 years and expects that he'll reflect on all that's happening and choose another way to serve the people of Illinois.
But Burris said Sunday that he had no such plans. Addressing hundreds of supporters at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 740 E. 77th St., Burris promised to keep his job.
"Let me assure you that I will continue to serve you with the fullest of my ability, and that I will never, ever let you down. I will continue to serve you with honesty and integrity. That's all I know," Burris said.
Burris' six-minute speech skipped responding to critics' claims he gave conflicting statements to a House impeachment panel, focusing instead on his achievements in office so far.
Burris will be on his way back to Washington later Monday, and will remain there for the rest of the week for committee and floor votes.
CBS 2's Joanie Lum and Ed Marshall contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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