* The Senate just approved HJRCA 31, the recall amendment. The proposal will go before the voters for approval next year.
An excerpt…
The recall of the Governor may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to at least 15% of the total votes cast for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election, with at least 100 signatures from each of at least 25 separate counties. A petition shall have been signed by the petitioning electors not more than 150 days after an affidavit has been filed with the State Board of Elections providing notice of intent to circulate a petition to recall the Governor. The affidavit may be filed no sooner than 6 months after the beginning of the Governor’s term of office.
The affidavit shall have been signed by the proponent of the recall petition, at least 20 members of the House of Representatives, and at least 10 members of the Senate, with no more than half of the signatures of members of each chamber from the same established political party.
* The Question: Considering all the limitations (15 percent of the electorate have to sign petitions, plus all those legislators), would you label this proposal merely symbolic or potentially useful? Explain.
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- Anonymous Noozwatcher - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 11:48 am:
Looks pretty obvious the idea is to make it theoretically possible but practically impossible to recall a governor. And any other elected official? Not even covered. It’s neither symbolic nor potentially useful.
- Nikoli - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 11:49 am:
It’s totally symbolic. There’s no way that many legislators will sign on to recall a governor of their own party (Republican or Democrat). Look at how long the Democrats supported Rod, even in 2006 when he ran for re-election and it was known that the feds were looking at him.
This bill was passed just so legislators can claim on a mail piece next year that they were working for reform.
- Cal Skinner - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 11:49 am:
Nothing but fluff.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 11:53 am:
One of the most powerful citizen empowerment tools put on the books in a long time.
- prowler - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 11:53 am:
Nikoli covered exactly my point of why this is symbolic. Never going to get enough votes from their own party to get a recall accomplished.
- Niles Tonwship - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 12:11 pm:
All symbolic. There is no explanation needed for this one. Welcome to IL land of the no recall, recall, and of campaign finance reform, unless your name is Mikey Madigan.
- John Bambenek - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 12:12 pm:
Here’s the metric by which to judge recall. Would it have been able to get rid of Blagojevich pre-arrest.
In this case, the answer is a resounding NO!
It’s not even symbolic, it’s a complete sham and I’m disappointed in Quinn for supporting it.
- D.P. Gumby - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 12:15 pm:
Recently, the Chief Justice of the Calif SC decried the state’s referenda culture and the damage that has done to the state. Regardless of whether this is substance or symbol, it is bad, bad, bad to start the slippery slope toward the California model. What used to be a populist protection is now a big money special interest play thing.
- Ghost - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 12:27 pm:
It is symbology to a degree to make Dan Brown proud.
- Chubs Mahoney - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 3:23 pm:
Potentially useful. If you favor recall, this is progress. A step in the right direction.
- Lefty Lefty - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 3:33 pm:
A waste of time, ink, paper, and electronic storage.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 4:52 pm:
D.P. Gumby,
My desire to be able to “get rid of the bums” is strong enough for me to want the recall vote. My brain sees your point and agrees. California is a mess. Recalls and referenda have crippled the state both by the constant props being bandied about and the result of the elections that follow. There is a way to recall the governor - it is called an election. Even in Illinois, it can get bad enough that the bowl of jello that passes for our GA got enough backbone to get rid of RodB with the impeachment/trial process.
I’m sure there are opposite view points with strong opinions re a recall and I completely understand why many would want to do that. I want to also however, this is a republic, not a democracy. Gotta deal with that.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 4:55 pm:
Oops, didn’t answer the question. Pure c&@p.
Requiring legislators to sign off on the proposal is paternalistic. Like the electorate can’t decide for itself, it needs the wise elite class of perpetual legislators to make sure we aren’t making a big no no.
- Justice - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 5:07 pm:
Complete waste of time. Why does the electorate need the “wisdom” of the legislature. Fact is, this recall should include judges and legislators with 5% of the vote based on the previous election numbers. Might just keep these folks on their toes…..but then we don’t want to screw up a good thing with accountability!
- Will - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 5:45 pm:
It could only be used by someone with tremendous influence, money, and a large political organization. Mike Madigan, for example. He could find it very useful.
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 6:03 pm:
Totally worthless….if someone can get 15% of the voting public to sign something, why do we need the paternalistic legislators?
- No STAR - Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 6:31 pm:
Is that crazy STAR Bnd bill dead yet - as Rich said from day one - “the worst bill ever”