U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin says the Illinois Legislature should order a special election to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat rather than allow Gov. Rod Blagojevich to pick a new senator.

Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday in connection with allegations he sought favors to influence his choice for Obama’s replacement.

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Durbin told reporters in Washington that “No appointment by this governor, under these circumstances, could produce a credible replacement.”

He urged the Illinois Legislature to quickly set up a special election.