SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich could be out of a job by Feb. 4. That's according to a tentative timeline taking shape among some state lawmakers, who are moving toward impeaching the scandal-plagued chief executive in the coming days. | FBI tapes might elude impeachment panel

A special House panel is expected to recommend later this week that the 52-year-old Democrat be impeached. If the full House follows suit, the Senate could start its trial of Blagojevich on Jan. 26.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, said lawmakers have been advised that the impeachment trial in the Senate could take at least nine days, minus one Sunday, putting Feb. 4 in the cross hairs as Blagojevich's possible final day in office if the Senate finds him guilty.

"If it's any longer than that, it won't be much," said Rutherford, a member of a special Senate committee drafting rules for the Senate impeachment trial.

Other lawmakers were not as willing to put a timeline on a possible trial.

''I've given up on predicting anything in Springfield, especially when it comes to timelines,'' said state Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago.

Sen. Dale Righter, R-Charleston, said the length of the trial depends on the number of witnesses testifying and if the transcripts of the wiretaps will be heard.

The Senate likely will not begin the trial until Jan. 26 to give both sides time to present their case.

Although talk of impeaching Blagojevich began more than a year ago, the push to boot him out of office went into overdrive after his Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges.

Among other things, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald alleges Blagojevich schemed to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat. Lawmakers also are investigating whether he abused his power as governor in attempting to expand health care programs without legislative approval.

The Senate committee met in Chicago for two hours on Monday to decide how it will carry out the trial. It will also meet Friday in hopes of having all the rules determined by the time the new legislature is sworn in on Jan. 14.

''I think we're pretty far along,'' said state Sen. Bill Haine, R-Alton. ''I believe we will have a good set of rules and procedures by the time they are sworn in.''