* It’s been a very long time since legislators and statewide Democratic officials felt secure enough (or, more likely, not scared enough) to introduce or support legislation like this…

Attorney General Lisa Madigan says she supports a bill that would allow voters to recall Chicago’s mayor. But that doesn’t mean she believes Rahm Emanuel should leave office.

Madigan tells WBBM radio’s “At Issue” (http://cbsloc.al/1Ni3lCU ) she also thinks voters should have the power to recall all Illinois elected officials _ herself included.

*** UPDATE *** Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago) has signed on as a co-sponsor of the recall bill. Andrade is facing a primary challenge from the left.

And Dan Proft called on legislative Republicans today to sign on to the bill as well. Rep. Jeanne Ives is now a co-sponsor.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

The “Lisa Madigan for mayor” speculation had already begun in earnest before she did this interview. I have no knowledge about whether she’ll run, but I do know that lots of people have been asking me about it.

* More from that link…

Emanuel has a long and difficult road ahead as he tries to rebuild public trust in the Chicago Police Department and himself, Madigan says.

She says Emanuel’s apology this week and heartfelt words are not enough.

“People are not going to believe that until they actually see real reform and real change taking place. Unfortunately, the type of change that’s needed isn’t going to come quickly or easily,” she says.

As for calls for the mayor to step down, she doesn’t believe that will happen.

* And more from WBBM…

Madigan agrees the video of the Laquan McDonald police shooting should not have been released when it would hamper an investigation, but that time should have been far less than 400 days.

“That would have given ample time for an investigation to take place and certainly ample time, which I think some of the concern is, for the officers to be interviewed and I am sure that happened well before the 400 day mark,” she said.

Oof.

There goes Anita, right under the bus.

* And this shows a better understanding of the situation than whatever I’ve seen expressed by any major white Chicago-area politician in recent days…

Madigan says things like this have led some—especially in communities of color—to see the police as an occupying force and not protectors:

“That belief, that feeling, undermines the majority of men and women in law enforcement who are doing a good job and have integrity and are courageous and putting their lives on the line every single day, but I think the situation we have now is simply untenable,” Madigan said.

* Related…

* Other questionable police shootings claimed lives, cost city millions

* 911 overload — South Side often faces too many calls, not enough cops

* Historic probe of Chicago police expected to be long and costly