Illinois Recall News
Some lawmakers call for recall of governor
By
Andy Shaw
August 6, 2007 - Republicans and Democrats frustrated over the budget stalemate in Springfield are proposing a recall of Governor Rod Blagojevich. They want to change Illinois state law so a governor can be removed from office like Gray Davis was in the California recall.
An increasing number of Illinois lawmakers are tired of a governor who proposes multi-billion dollar tax and spending programs, gets in their faces when they don't sign on right away, and jets back and forth between Chicago and Springfield on the taxpayers dime instead of working fulltime at the state capitol. So there is now a movement under way to let Illinois voters get rid of a governor without having to wait until the next election.
"This governor, Governor Blagojevich and this administration, have been shameful in its conduct," said State Senator Dan Cronin, (R) Elmhurst.
Senator Cronin is one of the sponsors of a bill that could eventually give Illinois voters the power to sweep a governor out of office without waiting for the next election. The bill is modeled after California, which recalled Democratic governor Gray Davis in 2003, paving the way for Arnold Schwarzenegger's election.
The target in Illinois is Rod Blagojevich, who has alienated an increasing number of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle with a style, a personality and a political appetite that is apparently hard to swallow.
"This is a common sense sort of answer to a rather dramatic dysfunctional governor," Cronin said.
"Perception is nine-tenths of the law, and if that's the perception with the average person, I'm all for it," said State Senator Debbie Halvorsen, (R) Chicago Heights.
The governor says recall is a good thing. And he is not taking it personally.
"No, I take it as Republican partisan politics and disagreement, and the give and take in the political process, but I think the concept, the idea of having people have the ability to recall an elected official and put term limits on terms is a good idea," said Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Blagojevich is also downplaying fears of a government meltdown on Wednesday, if lawmakers fail to pass a new budget, as he continues to lobby for a much more ambitious agenda that the general Assembly seems to want. But the state comptroller is urging Blagojevich not to escalate the budget battle.
"All of us government, all of us in elected office, need to agree right now that no matter what we will not allow a government shutdown to take place," said Dan Hynes, (D) state comptroller.
"We've come this far, and I'm prepared to keep working day in, day and night for the next several days, weeks and months if necessary to make sure we get a budget that's right," said the governor.
Legislative leaders have a tentative agreement in Springfield on a budget that provides nearly $600 million additional dollars for education, but none of the other things on the governor's to-do list, including mass transit, health care and infrastructure, all of which are being put off until later.
So what does the governor do? Hold his nose and sign it? Or veto the budget and risk a government shutdown? The answers are likely to come on Wednesday or Thursday.
Remove Blagojevich?
Republican senator admits it’s not likely, but wants voters to have choice
By Eric Krol
Daily Herald Political Writer ekrol@dailyherald.com
Posted Saturday, August 04, 2007
Republican state Sen. Dan Cronin plans to launch a long-shot effort next week to give voters the chance to remove Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office.
The Elmhurst lawmaker will introduce legislation to ask voters to amend the state constitution to allow for the California-style recall of elected officials. His target is Blagojevich.
“This is a way for the Republicans to show how we respond to this failure of leadership,” said Cronin, pointing to the still-unresolved record overtime session in Springfield. “And the Democrats are worried (Blagojevich) is going to take his party down the drain.”
A Blagojevich spokeswoman dismissed Cronin’s measure. “Stunts like this won’t get us any closer to passing a balanced budget that meets the needs of our state,” spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said. “If that’s how the senator wants to spend his time and energy, that’s his choice. But I’m sure his constituents would prefer to see a budget resolution that invests in schools and health care and makes sure the state is meeting its obligations.”
Cronin, the DuPage County Republican chairman, acknowledged his gambit faces pretty big obstacles. For starters, he would need three-fifths of the Illinois House and Senate to approve putting the should-we-have-recall question before voters. Democrats hold a wide margin in the House and an even wider margin in the Senate.
Assuming the General Assembly allowed voters to weigh in on the recall question, the public would then have to approve the referendum legalizing a recall. Then signatures would have to be gathered asking voters in a separate election whether Blagojevich should be removed from office.
Democratic state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston warned a “lynch mob mentality” would set bad precedent. “My experience is that regardless of how you feel about a particular individual holding elective office, that it’s not sound to change the law just to suit those circumstances,” Schoenberg said. “I would feel the same way if it was a Republican governor.”
A spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan had no comment, saying it was the first he’d heard of Cronin’s plan. Cronin said he’ll also start an online petition drive for his recall effort.
Lieutenant Governor supports
governor recall
provision
08/04/2007 13:04:10
SPRINGFIELD, Il. (AP) Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn says the gridlock over a new state budget shows why Illinois needs to let angry voters throw politicians out of office.
The Chicago Democrat says other states have recall provisions that remind politicians they can be removed if they do a bad job. Quinn today said that it's time for Illinois to -- quote -- ``put it on the books.''
Quinn also says Governor Rod Blagojevich has surrounded himself with aides who offer bad advice.
