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House Republicans Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, and David Friess, R-Red
Bud, have introduced legislation that provides that local
officeholders who were elected during a general or consolidated
election may be recalled under the Local Government Elected
Official Recall Act.
“The fact that there’s no mechanism for removal prior to the
next time they are up for office is absolutely unacceptable,”
Ugaste said during a press conference Monday. “We can’t allow
this to continue.”
Using examples as former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is
on trial for bribery, and current Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard,
whose government is shut down, Ugaste said the measures would
address corrupt politicians.
“The process outlined in these bills would be practical only in
extreme cases, but here in Illinois we have seen in Chicago and
Dolton and across the state, we continue to deal with the
extreme,” said Ugaste.
One measure would amend the Illinois Constitution and create a
recall mechanism for all elected officials in the state.
Ugaste said he plans to work with Democratic party officials on
the legislation. He added that he isn’t confident the
legislation will make it to the House floor for a vote during
the lame duck session, but plans to introduce the bills again
during the 104th General Assembly.
“No position, no matter how powerful, should be beyond the reach
of the people’s voice,” said Friess. “As elected officials, it's
a privilege to be here.” |
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