SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Pat Quinn has been sworn in as Illinois' new governor.
State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias told reporters outside Quinn's office Thursday that Quinn took the oath of office from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke.
He became the 41st governor immediately after the Senate voted to remove Rod Blagojevich. Senators ousted Blagojevich on charges of abuse of power.
Quinn had served for two terms under Blagojevich, but they had little in common. In fact, Quinn has said the two have not spoken in more than a year and Blagojevich said last year that Quinn wasn't even part of his administration.
Quinn is a 60-year-old former state treasurer and tax attorney. He is best known for his grass-roots efforts to cut big government and protect the little guy.
Among the most pressing issues for him is the state's deficit of more than $3 billion.
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