Should Illinois voters be able to recall statewide elected officials?
The Sun-Times editorial board thinks it's a good idea, in theory, but a deeply flawed one in practice. A recall would create far more problems than it solves. The process would probably be too cumbersome to recall the worst offenders in a timely fashion and would render them even more ineffective while they're in the cross hairs. A recall election would also drain the state of money it doesn't have to spend.
Despite that, we urge the state Senate to take a vote on the recall proposal. A senate vote is being blocked by backers of Blagojevich -- who is the main recall target. In the name of good government, let our senators speak.
The House already passed a version earlier this month. With a May 4 deadline looming, the Senate must act now and then send a revamped version of the recall proposal back to the House. We may be shooting ourselves in the foot -- there's a good chance the senate will pass the recall bill. But we elected our senators to legislate, not to kowtow to party leaders.
This blog brought to you by the Sun-Times editorial board (click on names to read bios):
There should be a recall vote and as someone who helped support Mr. Bond's campaign I am very disappointed and I will not vote for him again. As for Mr. Link,it is time for him to go. He does
absolutely nothing for our county
What I would really like to know is who received perks for their "no" vote?
I and alot of my fellow Democrats voted Blago in, only in hopes that Pat Quinn would eventually take his place because of the talk of recall.
So thanks to the Dems, the corruption will keep on going.
Our politicians had better remember just as we voted them in we can vote them out. Since when do the voters need their permission to recall a corrupt and/or incompetent official. It should not be a costly and time consuming effort on anyone's part. If they had any shame or honesty left in them they would resign and just leave. We elected these individuals to represent their constituents not to be kowtowing to Emil Jones or the governor. In fact, Not only should Blagojevich take his leave but he should take Emil Jones and all those who forgot why they are there with him. All the voter is asking is for them to do the job they are being very well paid to do and, if they can't -- we should have the RIGHT and duty to fire them. We need strong women or men up their not children.
I have great respect for House Speaker Mike Madigan but I do not support the recall. On a related note Lisa Madigan and Dan Hynes would be very good future Governors.