By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – “Voter empowerment” is a theme of Illinois Republicans in the legislature now.
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) says a package of ideas rolled out Wednesday is in response to frustration.
“My constituents feel powerless,” Barickman told an online news conference, “because they feel that the system is stacked against them, so these initiatives and constitutional amendments are designed to empower Illinoisans and to ensure that our government is effective and efficient and that the people who represent Illinoisans are accountable to them.”
One of the ideas would allow citizens to repeal laws they don’t like.
“If a legislature passes something like a massive tax increase or something like that, that the vast majority of the public says, we don’t like that,” said Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), “they would, under this proposal, have the ability to go out, collect petition signatures, and put a measure on the ballot that would then repeal that law.”
Other proposals would enable recall of elected officials, including the speaker of the House, president of the Senate, and auditor general; and make it easier for citizens to amend the Illinois Constitution.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
