Legislation for emergency election for Obama replacement proposed by Democrat

[January 13, 2009]  WOODSTOCK -- As the "Blagojevich/Burris Senate for Sale" scandal continues to fester both in Illinois and Washington, state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, introduced emergency legislation Monday to create an open election on April 7 to fill the Senate vacancy. The date corresponds to the general municipal election and special 5th Congressional District elections that will take place on the same day.

"The people of Illinois have zero faith in a broken system and the tainted Senate appointment," said Franks. "In the last month, the governor's lawyers stated he would not appoint a replacement for Obama, yet they lied and Blagojevich appointed Burris. At the same time, 50 Democratic United States senators signed a letter stating that the Senate would not accept a corrupt Blagojevich appointment, yet they are on the brink of caving and allowing Burris to be seated. It is no wonder why our people are so fed up. The only way to fix this is to have an open election. Let's put the names of everyone who's interested in serving on one ballot, and whoever gets the most votes wins, period."

When Blagojevich first appointed Burris, Franks was joined by a chorus of leaders on both sides of the aisle to have a special election to fill President-elect Obama's former Senate seat. Yet after the pledge from the governor's lawyers and the U.S Senate, the issue was put on hold while the Illinois House dealt with impeachment. The impeachment is now complete in the House, and Franks has renewed his push for the special election.

"Roland Burris should never have agreed to participate in this sham and instead should have refused to accept the appointment," Franks said. "It is not enough for the Blago/Burris camp to claim their actions are technically legal. We need leaders who do what is right, and filling this seat in any way other than an open election would not be right."

The bill introduced by Franks would place all candidates, regardless of political party, on one ballot, and whichever candidate received the most votes would be declared the winner. A majority of the votes cast would not be required.

[Text from file received from Rep. Jack Franks]