Now that the Illinois Senate has voted to remove Rod Blagojevich, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn assumes the governorship immediately.

The 60-year-old Democrat is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and has a degree from Georgetown University. Quinn grew up in Hinsdale, Ill., and currently lives in Chicago with his two sons.

Quinn won the Democratic primary in March 2002 for lieutenant governor and subsequently won the general election on the Democratic ticket alongside Blagojevich. In Illinois, candidates for lieutenant governor and governor run in separate primary elections, but are conjoined as a single ticket for the general election.

Quinn ran unopposed in his second term and was re-elected lieutenant governor on Nov. 7, 2006.

Quinn told the Associated Press he has gotten no help from Blagojevich in his preparation for taking over as governor. On NBC's "Meet The Press" Quinn said the last time he spoke with Blagojevich was on August of 2007.

Quinn said he will examine any last-minute maneuvering by Blagojevich.

In 2001, Quinn walked from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan to raise awareness of the need to provide decent health care for everyone.