Republican Lawmakers Want Constitutional Amendments for Referenda, Recall
Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), pictured, and House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) are pushing constitutional amendments to allow citizen initiatives on the ballot, for voters to hold a referendum on a new law, and to expand the state’s recall provision.
House and Senate Republican leaders announced Wednesday they were introducing three constitutional amendments they say will empower voters to have more control over state government.
Republicans have filed three matching constitutional amendments in each chamber. The first (SJRCA 1), would allow a citizen-driven ballot initiative. The second, (SJRCA 2) would allow voters to veto or reject legislation. A third, (SJRCA 3) would expand the recall provision in Illinois to impact all elected officials. The current recall provision only impacts the office of the Governor.
“The Voter Empowerment Project is a way to give Illinoisans democratic freedoms that are currently denied to them,” said Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). “This package will give voters greater ability to amend the state’s constitution, the authority to repeal laws the public finds unpopular, and the option to remove politicians from office who have broken the public trust.”
McConchie wouldn’t say directly if Senate President Don Harmon had assured him the bills would be heard in committee. A spokesman for Harmon, John Patterson, said the legislation will have to be reviewed.
“We'll have to review them,” Patterson said. “Haven't had a chance to digest what they are about.”
Most Republican reform proposals have been buried in committee in recent years, and some Democrats we spoke to said they expect these won’t move, either.