Will County Gazette

Veteran state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) insists her rationale for backing a Republican-sponsored proposal that would give voters the ability to initiate recall proceedings against elected officials is simple.

“These days, it’s something that would certainly be advisable with the kind of abuse we see going on in Springfield,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “Anything that gives voters greater power over the people that are supposed to be representing them is a good thing.”

While the ability for voters to recall the governor has now been on the books for more than a decade, McDermed adds the climate in Springfield now calls for more.

Currently, longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan finds himself at the center of a still unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where bribes were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation. At the same, whispers of dissent about Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis are becoming more audible by the day.

“I really think what’s going on with the governor is worthy of recall action,” McDermed added. “He’s governing by decree and that’s not right. There are three branches of government and he just finds it easier to act alone. Democracy is messy and he doesn’t want to get hands dirty.”

Put forth by state Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) and state Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), the proposal would require voters from at least 25 counties across the state signing off on a recall petition. In addition, a bipartisan group of current state representatives and senators must also endorse the action.

Finally, to start the recall process against statewide lawmakers, the plan would require signatures from 12% of the voters who cast votes for governor in the prior election. The issue would require the vote of at least 60% of all voters in order for an official to be shown the door via the recall process.