Illinois ? Officially, Illinois lawmakers will gather soon to consider a special election to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate — but it was already clear Sunday that ousting disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich was at the top of many to-do lists.

A legislative session beginning today will be the first since Blagojevich was arrested last week on charges that he tried to profit from his power to choose Obama’s replacement and shook down businesses seeking state deals.

Republicans said Sunday that they plan to put intense public pressure on Democrats to move against Blagojevich. A spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan said he will discuss the idea with Republican leaders today.

Blagojevich was expected to firm up his legal representation after meeting over the weekend with Chicago attorney Ed Genson, who has defended media mogul Conrad Black and R&B singer R. Kelly.