By: Barton Lorimor
Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said Wednesday a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution legalizing the removal of elected officials from office could take an alternative route and still become law.
Quinn, an advocate of the recall amendment, said the issue could be added to the state’s governing document if a constitutional convention were convened within the next two years. Voters have the chance to call a convention during the Nov. 4 election.
Quinn said ethics and government reform would be the main focus by the convention’s delegates, but not something Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his allies in the House and Senate are interested in moving forward with.
“Don’t hold your breath on the legislators or governor to pass reform,” Quinn said at an informational meeting about constitutional conventions hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Wednesday. Flyers advertising the event said the event was meant to aid voters in their decision.
A recall amendment would allow voters to organize petitions calling for the removal of elected officials before their term ends. Legislation approved by the House, but hit a brick wall in the Senate, last spring said those petitions must be supported by 12 percent of the vote the official received to take office. The question would then be placed on the ballot.
Quinn said he does not anticipate legislators to revisit the issue even though Senate President Emil Jones, a Blagojevich ally, retires after the upcoming election.
