Chicago 2016 committee member Roland Burris was turned away today from the U.S. Capitol. Burris was attempting to be seated as Illinois' junior senator. (Getty Images)As Roland Burris makes the rounds in his controversial bid to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, a large rectangular Chicago 2016 pin has been displayed prominently on his lapel.
Burris is one of about 300 members of the Chicago 2016 Committee who serve an advisory role.
He was appointed to succeed the president-elect as Illinois' next junior senator by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested last month on corruption charges that allege he tried to sell the Senate seat. On Tuesday morning, Burris arrived at the Capitol in Washington D.C., where he said he had been barred from taking the seat and told that "my credentials are not in order and will not be accepted."
Burris said he is considering his options.
If he does become a U.S. Senator, Burris would have to resign from the Chicago 2016 Committee.
"The agreement that Chicago 2016 has with the USOC is that no elected officials are allowed to be on our committee or our board," bid committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky tells Around the Rings. "If he were to become an elected official, we would have to ask him to step down from our committee."
The list of members includes Olympians such as Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps; CEOs and presidents of companies; leaders of universities and foundations and former U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, who is not currently an elected official.
Chicago 2016 lists Burris as chairman and CEO of Burris & Lebed Consulting, LLC.
Despite the controversy swirling around the vacant Senate seat, Sandusky said the bid pin on Burris' lapel provided good visibility for the Chicago 2016 effort.
"He's a supporter of the bid, so we appreciate any support," Sandusky said.
Burris, 71, is a former Illinois attorney general and ran for mayor of Chicago in 1995, losing to current mayor Richard M. Daley.
"I have faith in the record that I have forged over the past four decades, and I'm proud of my accomplishments as a public servant," Burris said at the press conference announcing his appointment.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said there would be "a cloud over anyone that comes from the state of Illinois being appointed by Blagojevich."
However, Blagojevich has stated that this should not be the case. "Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man."
Burris has a reputation for forging ahead. He already has built a mausoleum for himself in a South Side Chicago cemetery. The stone is engraved with the words "Trail Blazer."
Written by
Karen Rosen
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