Jan 9 Reuters The Illinois House of Representatives onFriday impeached Gov

Jan 9 (Reuters) - The Illinois House of Representatives onFriday impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of abuseof power including an attempt to sell President-elect BarackObama's vacated U.S Senate seat. Bonds Blagojevich's impeachment followed the conviction in 2006of his predecessor, Republican Gov George Ryan, on multiplecounts of conspiracy and fraud. Following is a list of some other high-profileinvestigations and convictions in the state: Operation Greylord, a federal probe into the Chicagocourt system, was completed in 1988 with convictions and guiltypleas from 87 court personnel and attorneys, including 13judges. Operation Silver Shovel, a federal probe into Chicagocity government, ended in 1996 with 18 convictions and guiltypleas from public employees and six aldermen. Illinois Auditor Orville Hodge was convicted in 1956 forembezzling $2 million in state funds Gov.

Otto Kerner, a Democrat, was convicted in 1972 onincome tax charges involving stock in race tracks acquiredwhile in office. Illinois Attorney General William Scott was convicted in1991 on income tax charges involving misuse of campaign funds U.S Rep. Daniel Rostenkowski, a Democrat, was convictedin 1996 on mail fraud charges related to public corruption. Source: Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (Reporting by Karen Pierog, Editing by Peter Bohan and DoinaChiacu) Bonds. LabQuest, only product designed and manufactured in the United States honoredat the bi-annual award ceremonyBEAVERTON, Ore., Jan.

9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Vernier Software &Technology is the recipient of the Worlddidac Award for Innovation inTechnology for its newly released product, LabQuest. LabQuest contains six sensor ports, a built-in temperature, and a built-inmicrophone for recording voice annotations. Its applications include astopwatch, a periodic table, an on-screen keyboard and a scientificcalculator. Users can operate the device either via its buttons or by pressingan accompanying stylus for the on-screen keyboard.About WorlddidacWorlddidac is the global trade association for companies that provideeducational and training products to all levels of education. For moreinformation visit Vernier Software & TechnologyVernier Software & Technology has been an innovator of data-collectiontechnology for 27 years.Creating easy-to-use and affordable scienceinterfaces, sensors, and software, their products can be found in educationfrom elementary school to college. Vernier helps teachers enhance theirscience curriculum, increase learning, and build students' critical thinkingskills. For more information visit Software & TechnologyDaylene Long of Vernier Software & Technology, 1-503-277-2299,; or Kati Elliott, KEH Communications, 1-410-975-9638,, for Vernier Software & Technology.