Associated Press - July 28, 2009 5:54 PM ET

CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says he received a letter of resignation today from University of Illinois Trustee Lawrence Eppley in the wake of the admissions scandal at the school.

In a copy of the letter obtained by the Associated Press, Eppley says his fellow trustees should step down and calls on unnamed school administrators to accept responsibility for the admissions uproar as well.

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Eppley to the board in 2001. Eppley sent e-mails to the university noting Blagojevich's support for students applying to the school.

Quinn says he has accepted Eppley's resignation, thanks him for his years of service, and wishes him well.

Quinn says a search for a successor will begin immediately.

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