http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2008/03/26/news/news03.txt

Rutherford pushing for recall amendment

4/7/2008

Marion Daily Republican

Diane Wilkins

MARION — Illinois Senator Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac, is touring the state informing the public about efforts in the General Assembly to pass a Recall Amendment.

Rutherford, who is Chairman of the Committee for Legislative Action, is spearheading the effort to make Illinois one of the states that has a provision for recalling elected officials.

The legislation is House Joint Resolution Constitution Amendment 2B, which proposes to amend the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Illinois Constitution. It provides for elections to recall State executive branch officers, members of the General Assembly, and supreme, appellate, and circuit judges; sets forth requirements for petitions and elections; allows the General Assembly, by law, to provide for recall of officers of units of local government and school districts.

If the proposal passes the legislature and is signed by the governor, Illinoisans would vote on whether to adopt the constitutional amendment during the next election.

"Because it involves overriding a popular election, one of the most basic democratic rights, state and federal constitutions take removal of an elected official from office very seriously," Rutherford said. "In fact, it happens so rarely that in the few states that actually allow for a recall vote, only twice have governors been removed from office; Gov. Davis in California and Gov. Lynn J. Frazier from North Dakota in 1921."

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is also backing the bipartisan effort.

"The fact that recall is even on the books makes all of us as officeholders in the executive branch and every other branch be on our toes, not just on Election Day, but 365 days a year," Quinn told members of the State Government Administration Committee.

If you are interested in finding more information or obtaining a petition, go to www.committeeforlegislativeaction.org