Cook County voters to weigh in on recall amendment

Tribune:

Flying under the political radar, supporters of a constitutional amendment to allow the recall of the governor have placed an advisory referendum question on the Nov. 4 ballot to let Cook County voters weigh in on the issue.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, historically not a politician to avoid the media spotlight, quietly spearheaded the drive to ask voters if the Illinois Constitution should be altered to establish a process to boot the governor and other statewide elected officials out of office.

Even if voters agree, the referendum won't result in any official changes.

It could, however, potentially provide a show of support for the recall concept two years before the 2010 statewide elections.

"In my opinion, it's better than any poll because it's votes at a ballot box and that speaks a language any politician would understand," Quinn said Tuesday.

Earlier this year, House lawmakers pushed to include the recall question on ballots across the state, citing frustration with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and an ongoing federal corruption investigation surrounding his administration. But that proposal was stymied in the Senate under the leadership of President Emil Jones Jr., one of Blagojevich's biggest allies.

Perhaps it should be under consideration when there is a con-con by 2010. Something we also have to decide when we pull the ballot for President in November.