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Burris Gets White's Autograph

Secretary of State signs document acknowledging senate appointment

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 | Updated 1:44 PM CST

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Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has given the governor a separate document acknowledging the filing of Roland Burris' appointment. But will it be enough for the Senate to seat him?

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has signed a separate document that acknowledges a copy of the letter appointing Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate is on file with the state.

White still refuses to co-sign the actual paperwork from Gov. Rod Blagojevich that announced Burris' appointment.

But his signature is on a certificate requested by Blagojevich's office Friday. The certificate says a copy of Blagojevich's Dec. 30 appointment letter is "a true and accurate copy of a document setting forth an appointment."

A White spokesman said the certificate just acknowledges the document was filed. A request for the certificate could have been made at any time.

It's not the official U.S. Senate document Democratic leaders want White to sign before Burris can be seated.

U.S. Senate officials are reviewing the certificate and the letter. It remains to be seen whether the certificate from White will be enough to get Burris seated in the Senate.