Pat Quinn Gubernatorial administration

On the morning of December 9, 2008, Blagojevich was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and for solicitation of bribery for several instances of illegal acts, including attempting to sell the United States Senate seat being vacated by Barack Obama's election to the presidency. On January 29, 2009, Blagojevich was impeached and Quinn became the Governor of Illinois. On December 12, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court to have them declare Blagojevich "unable to serve" and have Quinn installed as the acting governor of Illinois.

Due to Blagojevich's single digit approval rating, and Quinn's known rivalry with Blagojevich, the likely transfer of power is welcomed by many Illinois citizens and politicians, including attorney general Madigan and former Republican governor Jim Edgar. Such popularity has birthed a variety of faux election garb, such as "Pat Quinn for Governor '08" stickers and other such items circulated mostly via the internet.

On January 29, 2009 Quinn flew to Springfield with Illinois Associate Justice Anne Burke, who swore him in after Blagojevich was found guilty of impeachment charges by the Illinois Senate.