Illinois Republicans introduce “Voter Empowerment Project”

Two Republican members of the Illinois General Assembly want to allow elected officials to be recalled — a move they say would help fight corruption in the state.

Originally Published By: ABC News Channel 20 - 12/8/2020 (link)

By: Matt Roy

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Two Republican members of the Illinois General Assembly want to allow elected officials to be recalled — a move they say would help fight corruption in the state.

State Sen. Jason Barickman, R- Bloomington, and Rep. Mark Batinick, R- Plainfield, are proposing three changes to the Illinois Constitution.

They said the decision to propose this legislation is a direct result of the implications against Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

The three changes would allow the public the permission to recall the Speaker, Auditor General, General Assembly members, and even local officials like mayors or coroners.

Barickman said it's time to give more power back to the people of Illinois.

"It is a failure of our state that we don't allow our people and our public and our citizens to have more say on the corruption that exists in the state,” Barickman said.

Barickman and Batinick said they will present this during the 102nd meeting of the General Assembly next year and are confident in bipartisan support.

Currently, the public only has the ability to recall the governor.

The General Assembly made this rule after the scandal with Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich over a decade ago.

The bills are in their preliminary stages, but they can be passed through the regular process in the General Assembly in 2021.