SPRINGFIELD - Some state senators are minding their words about Gov. Rod Blagojevich these days, hoping to be seen as impartial should lawmakers decide to impeach the embattled chief executive.

If the Illinois House votes to impeach Blagojevich in the wake of federal corruption charges, the Illinois Senate could conduct a trial, with the state's 59 state senators serving as a larger-than-usual jury.

For that reason, some senators say voicing an opinion over whether Blagojevich would be impeached could taint their own jury pool.

"You don't talk about the case because you could be the jury," said state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, feels the same way. He compared the process to any trial, where a juror that presumes guilt would be dismissed.

"It's kind of like saying he's guilty of something before you know what the charges are," Rutherford said.

Still, Rutherford has said Blagojevich should resign because he's no longer in a position to run the state. Forby says if the governor knows he's guilty, he should resign.

Cindy Davidsmeyer, spokeswoman for the Senate Democrats, said the staff hasn't advised senators not to comment on impeachment. But she said many of them hold back on their own because of the situation.

It's still unclear whether impeachment of Blagojevich will happen. Many have called for his resignation before proceedings could begin. Attorney General Lisa Madigan has talked about asking the Illinois Supreme Court to declare him unfit for office.

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said he's tried to dance lightly about the impeachment issue in particular. But he's already granted several interviews to national media, such as CNN and Good Morning America, to talk about Blagojevich's arrest.

"Everyone has to follow their own course on this," Jacobs said.

mike.riopell@lee.net / (217) 789-0865