GOP overhaul runs out of gas

SPRINGFIELD - A proposal requiring a change in how Illinois Republicans choose their party leaders never got a final vote before state lawmakers ended their spring session.

"I think in those last few days when it would have been called, people had higher priorities," said Aurora Republican state Sen. Chris Lauzen, referring to failed attempts to balance the state's budget with an income and sales tax hike. "We'll continue to work hard on it."

The measure would have given Republican primary voters the power to elect the party's governing body in Illinois, taking the choice away from the party precinct, ward and county leaders who now select the committee. The proposed change drew fierce opposition from current GOP Chairman Andy McKenna who threatened a court battle to keep the current system in place. Other Republicans suggested Lauzen should quit the party if he doesn't like how things are done.

State senators approved the legislation 44-13 in April. Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont sponsored the legislation in the Senate and eight of 22 Senate Republicans voted for it. A House committee advanced the proposal to the full chamber in early May but it never got a final vote because, House sponsor Schaumburg Democratic state Rep. Paul Froehlich said, Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, "never saw fit to call it."

"It shouldn't be seen as a Democratic policy," said Froehlich, who switched parties in 2007. "Republicans keep talking about how they're for reform. Well, reform yourself first ... Let the voters make some decisions here."

Froehlich did get approval from Madigan to extend the deadline for action on the proposal to Nov. 30, but that also means supporters must cobble together at least 71 votes instead of 60 because it's past the May 31 adjournment date.