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Pritzker wants new ethics commission to look at how legislators are replaced

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Illinois

As the battle rages over who will take criminally charged former state Rep. Luis Arroyo’s House seat, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday said a new ethics task force should place a top priority on whether Democratic ward committeemen are “picking replacements properly.”

“I made it clear from the beginning that I want to make sure that the people of the district get represented properly,” the governor said. “There’s no air of corruption around the person who gets appointed and also be elected.” […]

“I think this is something that the new ethics commission that’s been created should look at,” Pritzker said at a Chicago State University event. “Among the very first things they should look at is are we picking replacements properly so that we avoid problems.”

Legislators last week passed a resolution to create the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to take up the many issues unearthed by federal investigations into Arroyo, state Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, and state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago.

Thoughts?

* Meanwhile…

Under House rules, any member of the House or voter in the 3rd District has 90 days to file a petition challenging whether Delgado’s appointment was legal. A petition would trigger an investigation by a House committee that could ultimately lead to Delgado being removed. That would require approval from a three-fifths majority of the full chamber.

Brown said that, as of Wednesday afternoon, no challenge petition had been filed with the clerk’s office. He declined to say whether Madigan would file the challenge himself after his warning was ignored.

“We’ll see how it all shakes out,” Brown said.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 8:50 am

Comments

=== That would require approval from a three-fifths majority of the full chamber.===

That’s 27 Democrats, (assuming all 44 GOPers are on the removal train) that will go to that step.

In March, run somebody against her, defeat her if need be by the voters make it “right”, then in November, it will be solidified as a change will occur.

The Dunkin play seems less strenuous. In actuality, the timing almost works to an elected solution, less the months Delgado is placed in this slot.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:01 am
The special election route is probably the cleanest way to remove committeemen/county chairs from the replacement process. But it’s really expensive to run special elections and with two-year House terms, the next regular election our primary is usually just a few months away.

How about statutorily enabling the Cook County central committees to expel committeemen and the State central committees to remove county chairs?

Comment by Roman Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:29 am
Include the opposing party in the weighted voting to fill vacancies based on all primary ballots cast in the last election, not just the officeholder’s party.

The most effective way to disrupt attempts by insiders to engineer backroom deals to fill vacancies is to make outsiders part of the process.

Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:34 am
Am I the only one who, Arroyo situation aside, doesn’t see an issue with the current appointment process? Though I think I might like Thomas Paine’s modification.

Comment by JJJJJJJJJJJ Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:41 am
Picking better candidates should be solution A for the ethical and legal issues that are plaguing Springfield.

Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 10:00 am
“That’s 27 Democrats, (assuming all 44 GOPers are on the removal train) that will go to that step”

I wonder if the Republicans just wouldn’t abstain forcing the Democrats to directly confront this divisive issue.

Comment by a drop in Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 11:15 am
=== I wonder if the Republicans just wouldn’t abstain forcing the Democrats to directly confront this divisive issue.===

Possible, but folks like Mr. Wehrli will pass out from hyperventilating if he can’t vote against something he can tweet as “Democrat corruption”

Maybe for his own health, you let Mr. Wehrli vote, LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 11:20 am
Governor Pritzker needs to read the Illinois Election Code.

If is unhappy about how replacement officials are selected, the law needs to be changed.

Comment by Alrighty Then Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 6:28 pm