With one ex-governor in prison and another convicted of a felony, Illinois voters get to decide Tuesday whether they want new power to rein in future governors.
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CHICAGO (AP) — With one ex-governor in prison and another convicted of a felony, Illinois voters get to decide Tuesday whether they want new power to rein in future governors.
On the ballot is a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the public limited power to recall unpopular governors.
If it passes, voters would be able to hold special recall elections to boot governors out of office. But the recall power wouldn’t apply to any other public officials and the process would be complicated.
To launch the recall process, citizens would have to get support from 30 legislators — at least 20 from the House, 10 from the Senate and no more than half from the same party.
Next, they’d have to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures on a petition to place the recall on the ballot. To ensure some statewide support, activists would need at least 100 signatures from a minimum of 25 counties.
If recall backers succeed, then a special election would be held. A simple majority would be enough to oust the governor. The lieutenant governor would take over until another election could be held to choose a permanent replacement.
Many reform advocates wanted broader recall powers, but legislators would not go along.
The amendment will take effect if it is approved by half of all voters casting ballots Tuesday or by three-fifths of the people voting just on the amendment.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
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