Sweeping away all signs of Blagojevich

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/01/30/blagojevich.gone/art.blagoremoval.gi.jpg caption="A worker replaces ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's picture with that of Pat Quinn."]

Steve Brusk and Greg Morrison
CNN National Desk

Workers at the Illinois Capitol wasted little time Thursday night changing the face of state government, shortly after Governor Pat Quinn replaced the ousted Rod Blagojevich.

The “welcome” sign visitors to the Capitol in Springfield see as they enter the building with Blagojevich’s face at the top was quickly brought down, with state employees watching and cameras snapping away.

Maintenance crews arrived, first removing the gold nameplate with Blagojevich’s name. Using drills and a ladder, they then brought down the large 5-foot high sign to make the official change.

Positioned on top of a state outline and a silhouette of Lincoln, workers ripped away the official state picture of the former Governor. “Was that quick enough?” one worker said to laughter.

An employee standing nearby as the picture was taken away said, “do we need someone to throw a shoe?”

Moments later, the picture of then Lt. Gov. Quinn was removed and placed instead at the top. A worker said “to the left, there you go,” as the new Governor’s photograph was centered and taped in place.

On a day of drama and history in the nearby Senate chamber, it was a small moment. But to state workers, it was a symbolic one with a new face at the top in the middle of their Capitol.