Milton Patterson is the 1 vs. 114

THE VOTE | S. Side rep alone in rejecting impeachment

SPRINGFIELD -- Unfazed by his 114 House colleagues, Rep. Milton Patterson on Friday voted against impeaching embattled Gov. Blagojevich.

The Chicago Democrat was the only House member to vote no, the only bright spot for the governor in an otherwise damning day. The impeachment article passed, 114-1 with one member voting present, meaning Blagojevich will stand trial before the Senate later this month.

Undaunted, Patterson, 62, sat arms crossed in his chair as he was questioned why he seemingly supported the governor.

"I went by my own gut feeling, simple as that, sir," said Patterson, who has represented the 32nd District on the South Side since 2004. "That's all I can say. I read the report. If the government is going to indict them, let them go ahead and do that."

He contended his vote wasn't synonymous with support for Blagojevich.

In the end, Patterson said the federal complaints and a 69-page Special Investigative Committee report against Blagojevich weren't enough to persuade him.

"I think the committee did an excellent job in the report," Patterson said. "It's just that there was not enough for me to feel comfortable with a decision to do that."

His vote didn't seem to rile his constituents. "I still believe that you're innocent until proven guilty, and that rule should apply to Blagojevich just like anybody else," said Bill Jones, who cuts hair at Headhunters Barber Shop on West Lithuanian Plaza.