The embattled governor of Illinois ignored president-elect Barack Obama's call for him to resign, clinging defiantly to power a day after he was arrested and accused of trying to sell Obama's vacant Senate seat.

Governor Rod Blagojevich was released on bond and reported to work on Wednesday after his Tuesday arrest by the FBI. His spokeswoman called the work day "business as usual" but there was mounting pressure on the unpopular governor.

Along with Obama, top Democrats in the Senate called for Blagojevich to step down. They warned they could refuse to seat a replacement chosen by the governor for Obama's old seat.