Illinois House Republicans look to add new recall laws

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Republicans have filed a bill and constitutional amendment resolution to give Illinois citizens the power to remove government officials.

Both the bill and constitutional amendment resolution would allow citizens to file a petition, that with enough signatures, can lead to public voting to recall elected officials.

It would affect all state elected positions from the local County Board to the Speaker of the House. Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) said there needs to be more avenues to combat corruption, especially after hearing information revealed in former Speaker of the House Mike Madigan's trial.

"Local and state governments are being held hostage in some places," Ugaste said, "Our elected officials, both Republicans and Democrats, must be held accountable statewide because our taxpayers and hardworking families deserve it. I urge the full general assembly to consider these pieces of legislation now."

Since the Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature, Ugaste and his Republican peers need bipartisan support for any hope of the bill and constitutional amendment passing.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states have recall elections. Illinois already has a constitutional amendment where people can recall the Governor. This proposal would mean all elected officials can be recalled.

If implemented, a petition would require 0.1% of the voters that voted for the seat in the previous election to start the recall. Then the recall election would require 60% of the vote to be immediately removed. Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) said this could help empower local communities against corrupt local governments.

"Too often our local communities feel powerless in the face of leadership that fails to meet the needs of the people," Friess said. "The citizen led process ensures that communities can hold their leaders accountable."

Both pieces of legislation are now in the House Rules Committee.