Burris asks Illinois Supreme Court to confirm his nomination

The move comes after Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, a Democrat along with Blagojevich and Burris, refused to sign off on the appointment, which was announced Tuesday.

Documents filed Wednesday by lawyers for Burris ask the court to require White "to certify Governor Blagojevich's appointment of Mr. Burris to the office of United States Senator from the state of Illinois and do all other acts required to confirm such appointment."

Burris said Wednesday that despite the legal cloud hanging over Blagojevich, he intends to serve the people of Illinois.

"Roland Burris has been legally appointed to the United States Senate. I am currently the junior senator from our state. And based on that, the problem for the governor should in no way ... tainting my appointment. There's no illegality in him appointing me," Burris said on CNN's "The Situation Room."

Burris said he has had problems with "some of the actions and behaviors of the governor" but that has "absolutely nothing to do with him exercising his power."

Blagojevich faces allegations of trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, among other charges.

Blagojevich appointed Burris on Tuesday to fill the remaining two years left in Obama's Senate term. The appointment, however, has left Democrats in the Senate on edge.

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democratic leaders worked on a plan to block Burris from being seated, a leadership aide said.