By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
CHICAGO – Why only have recall ability in Chicago when there are trust issues across the state? That’s something State Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) hoped to address with his proposed amendment to the Illinois constitution.
Harris said the measure, which hasn’t been filed yet, would ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment laying out a process for all elected officials to possibly face a recall. Harris says things are bad, and not just in Chicago.
“I think it’s important that anytime you have good policy on the books to have a process in place when people lose faith in public officials to have a process to deal with it,” Harris said.
Harris also said any law can be abused and misused.
“That’s why you have to put good heads together and make sure good policies are in place to make sure this really strikes at the heart of what the purpose of the bill is,” Harris said.
State Rep. Lashawn Ford (D-Chicago) introduced a measure last year that would allow for recall of Chicago’s mayor, but Harris says that didn’t go far enough. State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Oswego) filed a measure in the House similar to Harris’ Senate bill earlier this month.
