Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Question of the day
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Question of the day

Monday, Nov 7, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller

* KMOX

In tomorrow’s election, a convicted felon is running for state representative in the metro east. Republican Bob Romanik, a former Washington Park police chief, was convicted in 1997 for lying to a grand jury 150 times and in 1999 for bank fraud.

Illinois State Election Board General Counsel Ken Menzel says Illinois is the one state that allows felons to run for office, with just a few exceptions, “Probably the most notable example of that,” he says, “is the Illinois municipal code prohibition on felons holding city or village office in Illinois.”

So, you can run for Governor but not dog catcher. […]

In Missouri, felons are banned from holding statewide office. Federal laws allow felons to run for congress and President.

* The Question: Should Illinois ban convicted felons from running for and holding state elected office? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.


panel management

       

49 Comments
  1. - 47th Ward - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:57 am:

    No. If you have a felony on your record and can explain it in such a way as to make it a positive for you with the voters, you ought to be able to serve.

    Unless you’re a felon with a last name that rhymes with Blagojevich.


  2. - Grimm - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:58 am:

    I voted yes. Unfortunately, Illinois seems to have it backward. We elect the individual BEFORE they become a felon. /s


  3. - Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:58 am:

    ===a last name that rhymes with Blagojevich===

    He was officially removed from office making him ineligible for life to run for a state or local government slot.


  4. - Rabid - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:58 am:

    No this sends a message your debt to society is never paid, let’s stop felons from voting too?


  5. - thechampaignlife - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:01 pm:

    No, voters should decide what disqualifies someone from holding an office. If we do not trust the voters, maybe we have this whole democracy thing wrong…


  6. - 47th Ward - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:01 pm:

    ===ineligible for life===

    Lol, I know, I just wanted to be clear that, in his case, I support the ban (even though it stemmed from impeachment and not a separate court action or statute). In other cases, I don’t support a blanket ban on allowing felons to run and/or serve in office.


  7. - Wumpus - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:03 pm:

    No, as long as they served their time, they should be allowed to run. I wish would could get future felons to stop running.


  8. - Big Muddy - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:06 pm:

    YES. We have enough problems with the “noncriminals” we have now! Put an actual crook in? What is this, Washington DC? /s


  9. - AlfondoGonz - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:07 pm:

    Voted no. I’m wary of sweeping generalizations that could be better addressed by the electorate than the powers that be.


  10. - MacombMike - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:09 pm:

    The law is on the books, and yet Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett (27th Ward) was allowed to run in 1995 despite being a convicted felon (served a two year jail term for armed robbery when he was 17).

    Selective enforcement.


  11. - Whatever - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:09 pm:

    No. There could be some crimes that would disqualify a person, but not felonies in general. Maybe someone convicted of an abuse of his or her public office, which would keep Blago out even without the impeachment and would keep Ryan out.


  12. - FormerParatrooper - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:11 pm:

    Depends to me on what the Felony conviction is for. Certain felonys may be prove the candidate is experienced for some offices tho.


  13. - Anonymous - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:15 pm:

    AGree with Grimm…..sad to say we elect them before they become criminals…or before they get caught.


  14. - 47th Ward - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:17 pm:

    ===Selective enforcement===

    Wrong. Burnett got a pardon. Try again.


  15. - Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:23 pm:

    I wouldn’t be able to support a blanket prohibition against all felons. I’d support a ban on felons who were convicted of official corruption, but not beyond that. It’s possible, even likely, that some felons have a perspective that’s desperately needed in state government.


  16. - Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:24 pm:

    === It’s possible, even likely, that some felons have a perspective===

    Ergo a “citizen legislature.” I agree. Not encouraging it, mind you, but I do agree.


  17. - Last Bull Moose - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:24 pm:

    I voted no. We should have plenty of non-felon candidates.

    Our Federal system was built on not fully trusting the voters. Look at all the safeguards put in to prevent waves of emotion from driving results.

    Direct democracy gives you Brexit and Trump.


  18. - Commonsense in Illinois - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:26 pm:

    Frankly, this is nothing new in Illinois. I think the most recent former felon to serve in the Illinois House was former Rep. Coy Pugh, who served both federal and state terms of imprisonment before becoming a legislator. As a member of the House, while it took some time, he did become respected and known as thoughtful and hare-working. So, there is some level of hope for those who have made mistakes.


  19. - wordslinger - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:30 pm:

    No, you do your time, then the idea is to re-enter society.

    If you can sell it to the voters, so be it.


  20. - Just Observing - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:30 pm:

    Felons should not be banned from running for any office. It is the voters, not the the legislature, that should determine who should represent them.


  21. - Demoralized - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:32 pm:

    I voted no. If the voters want to elect you then that is their business.


  22. - blue dog dem - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:34 pm:

    I voted no. Convicted felons can Vote. Convicted felons can run. Whatever happened to us being a country of second chances?


  23. - Oneman - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:34 pm:

    voted no, it might not be bad to have someone pre-qualified


  24. - muon - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:41 pm:

    The state has recently passed a number of laws designed to permit felons to regain jobs in health care, parks, and other licensed activities that were off limits. It would seem backwards to rescind the ability to run for office while extending the ability to have more work opportunities.


  25. - charles in charge - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:45 pm:

    Voted no. Possession of any amount of any drug except a small amount of marijuana is a felony in Illinois. Do you really think a person should be disqualified from serving in elective office because of drug possession conviction that occurred years or even decades beforehand, notwithstanding anything he or she might have done in the meantime? Even if the voters want that person representing them?


  26. - Bleugrass Boy - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:47 pm:

    No. I might prefer to vote for someone who had a 30-year old felony but got their life turned around. Give me the choice.


  27. - Huh? - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:52 pm:

    I voted yes only because there wasn’t any option for “it depends”. If the felony was a crime against a child or a sex crime, then there is no forgiveness, no forgetting and no holding public office.


  28. - lake county democrat - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:55 pm:

    Voted no for reasons many have stated. I might make an exception if limited to convicted murderers.


  29. - Johnny Tractor - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:58 pm:

    Nope - except for a very limited number of circumstances (e.g. where there’s a high level of recidivism combined with personal harm), I don’t believe that conviction should automatically disqualify one from seeking and holding office. I don’t get the insistence on applying a scarlet letter - if they’ve done their time, let them run and let the voters decide if the conviction impacts their ability to e a good public servant. One could argue that someone’s who’s been convicted of any crime is a better representative of many of our fellow citizens than someone who hasn’t been convicted. I’m reminded of how Dan Rostenkowski realized how overwhelming it can be even for someone with financial resources to defend themselves against the government. It was a little late in life, but I was glad to see that message being sent to his former peers about the balance with which they needed to view the criminal justice system.


  30. - Annonin' - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:58 pm:

    Voted “yes” seems like there enough talented people out there why let felons back in? But what if you are a felon who have been pardoned? But after the pardon turn into a tax deadbeat? So many questions.


  31. - Visual Manager - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:59 pm:

    Voted Yes. Running for office states they could be elected to office. The comment line regarding well let the voters decide could be used if there were not races where theirs was only one name on the ballot. They are asked to be placed in a position of trust and there are just too many what if possibilities.


  32. - burbanite - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:05 pm:

    Depends on the felony, if its involving dishonesty yes, if its you got busted with pot when you were a kid, no. So, I voted no.


  33. - Commander Norton - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:06 pm:

    There are countless convicted felons who would never run the kind of disgraceful campaign Romanik has run. And I don’t doubt he was capable of it, whether or not he’d been convicted of bank fraud and lying to a grand jury. That’s a specious enough relationship that it shouldn’t form the basis for a law. I do not think felons should be barred from running for municipal offices either.


  34. - ChicagoVinny - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:09 pm:

    Voted ‘no’. Let the voters decide whether they think the felony disqualifies them from office.


  35. - Bruce (no not him) - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:12 pm:

    I voted no. Could a felon do worse?


  36. - Loop Lady - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:15 pm:

    Just a technicality in IL…


  37. - iwillquoteyouonthis - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:26 pm:

    Huh @12:52

    If somebody can run with that hanging around in his record, and win, then I’m taking the first moving truck out of the state and never looking back.

    I say let the voters decide which felonies are unforgivable even after time served.


  38. - Earnest - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:27 pm:

    I voted ‘no.’ People can take the information into consideration as they wish when they cast their vote.


  39. - A guy - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:31 pm:

    Yes. You’re capable of doing everything you’ve ever done. Repeat felons are often that, because people target them. There are many ways to redeem yourself besides running for public office. Getting a felon into office is something that attracts even more cynicism than what exists now.


  40. - steve schnorf - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:46 pm:

    Only if you’re not a Christian or a member of another religion that believes in the possibility of redemption. They’ve paid their debt


  41. - Go Figure - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 2:07 pm:

    Amazed at the number of folks here who are saying felons should be allowed to run and hold office. I say no.

    If you want to run for office and you’re a felon, then turn your life around, apply for clemency and, if it’s granted, then run for office. A fair number of folks receive clemency in this state for all sorts of reasons, and if you’re able to turn yourself around to the extent that clemency is granted, I could even see that becoming a plus during campaign season–”I know what it’s like to be there, because I’ve been there, but you don’t have to stay there, and together we can…” The stump speech almost writes itself. I’d vote for someone who did that, someone who became a success after hitting rock bottom, ahead of most of the jokers who hold office now.

    But to let felons run and hold office automatically without them having to take any affirmative steps? No. That’s ridiculous.


  42. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 2:28 pm:

    Voted “No”

    Couple caveats…

    Crimes that include preying on minors, crimes that have specfic violent nature.

    There’s a reason there are different types of felonies.

    “No” a felony should not exclude, but the type of felony absolutely should be considered in this, along with an appeal process for those felons in those felonious categories.

    So by that, I voted “No”


  43. - Name/Nickname/Anon - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 2:40 pm:

    Being a convicted felon isn’t even in the Top 150 of reasons Bob Romanik shouldn’t be allowed within a stone’s throw of elected office.

    I voted no for the reasons stated by other above.


  44. - Union Thug Gramma - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 4:33 pm:

    No, what ever happened to doing the time for the crime instead of being branded for life? How many of those that voted Yes have done something when young that they wouldn’t do now? I know there are things I’ve done in my younger days that I wouldn’t do now. Same with people who have been incarcerrated. OTOH, I’ve known people who’ve been charged with a felony and didn’t do it…but since they didn’t have the money for a private attorney…


  45. - ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 4:35 pm:

    I don’t see a reason to bar a felon from running for office. Voters should be able to choose from anyone willing to run (within reason of keeping a ballot from having a hundred people for one office.

    I do have one exception and that is if one is convicted of a felony election violation.


  46. - anon - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 5:22 pm:

    A ban is bad…
    * If you believe in second chances and redemption. (All Christians so believe.)
    * If you trust voters to make the decision instead of preventing them from doing so.
    * If you believe that once someone has paid his debt to society, he or she should not face a lifetime of continued punishment.


  47. - Lady law - Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 7:18 pm:

    One name: Lt. John Burge. Chicago PD. We will never know how many people he tortured into confessing to crimes that they never committed. Some, after many years have been released because of DNA evidence. If there was no DNA, those people will continue to do the time for a crime they did not commit. They don’t get a pardon in most cases. The innocence project has many more examples of wrongly convicted. Even those that really are guilty should not be subjected to life long punishment once released. Many bad choices are made in our life times. The voters should be the only people who decide on a candidate that they want representing them.


  48. - MacombMike - Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 9:52 am:

    ====Wrong. Burnett got a pardon. Try again.====

    AFTER he was elected. What don’t YOU try again.


  49. - MacombMike - Wednesday, Nov 9, 16 @ 9:52 am:

    What=Why


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Selected react to budget reconciliation bill passage (Updated x3)
* Reader comments closed for Independence Day
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Some fiscal news
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup (Updated)
* RETAIL: Strengthening Communities Across Illinois
* Groups warn about plan that doesn't appear to be in the works
* SB 328: Separating Lies From Truth
* Campaign news: Big Raja money; Benton over-shares; Rashid's large cash pile; Jeffries to speak at IDCCA brunch
* Rep. Hoan Huynh jumps into packed race for Schakowsky’s seat (Updated)
* Roundup: Pritzker taps Christian Mitchell for LG
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition (Updated)
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Live coverage
* Trump admin freezes $240 million in grants for Illinois K-12 schools
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
July 2025
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller