Details of aides’ contacts with governor due next week

President-elect Barack Obama told reporters Wednesday that they’d have to wait until next week to hear about his advisors’ dealings with Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich.

At a news conference, Obama said it’s frustrating to stay silent about any contacts between his team and that of the indicted governor, but he is complying with U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald’s request.

“There has been a little bit of speculation in the press that I would like to correct immediately,” he said. “We are abiding by the request of the U.S. attorney’s office. . . . By next week, you guys will have the answers to all of your questions.”

Sources with knowledge of the investigation have said that Rahm Emanuel, who will be Obama’s chief of staff, suggested to Blagojevich advisors several people who could fill the Senate seat -- but offered the governor no inducements. Blagojevich, who has the power to appoint Obama’s replacement, faces federal charges over an alleged effort to sell the seat, among other things.

Meantime, in Springfield, the Illinois Supreme Court denied the state attorney general’s motion to remove Blagojevich from office. The court rejected without comment a challenge filed by state Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, herself a top candidate for governor in 2010. It was unclear whether the court turned down the case on its merits or on procedural grounds.

Madigan had argued that Blagojevich’s legal and political troubles prevented him from performing his duties.

And Blagojevich’s lawyer told Illinois’ House impeachment panel that the Democratic governor would not appoint anyone to fill the seat.

“Harry Reid said that they’re not going to accept anybody he picks,” said attorney Ed Genson, referring to the U.S. Senate majority leader. “Why would he do that?”