CHICAGO — Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn this morning said if he's made governor, he may opt to appoint President-elect Barack Obama's Senate replacement rather than wait for a special election.

Speaking on NBC's "Today" show, Quinn said he's generally in favor of letting voters choose public officials. But he says the economic crisis makes it vital for the state to have two senators in place.

Quinn says if embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich doesn't resign it won't be long before he's either impeached or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan asks the state Supreme Court to declare him unable to serve.

Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges that he put Obama's seat up for sale.