SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CN) - With one former governor in prison and another indicted on corruption charges, the Illinois Senate says voters should be allowed to recall corrupt or incompetent governors. The state Senate agreed to place the issue on the ballot next year as a constitutional amendment.
If voters approve it, the amendment will set up a complicated system for recalling governors.
Recall could not begin unless 30 legislators approve of the move. Then petitioners will have to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures, after which a statewide election would determine the governor's fate.
Illinois has had a history of corrupt governors. Rod Blagojevich was impeached this year and faces charges of trying to sell the Illinois U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama to the highest bidder. Blagojevich's predecessor, George Ryan, was convicted of federal corruption charges.
Follow @@joeharris_stlSubscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.