Fox Valley State Rep. Franks says leave Lt. Gov. slot empty

SPRINGFIELD - A tainted candidate for the lieutenant governor's office has a Fox Valley lawmaker asking his party to leave the office vacant.

State Rep. Jack Franks said Thursday that party leaders' intention to appoint a replacement for Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Scott Lee Cohen may not only be unnecessary, but might be abuse of power.

Although Cohen won the Democratic primary last week, the revelation of alleged domestic violence and drug abuse in his past prompted Cohen to announce he'll drop out. Democratic leaders, meanwhile, are strategically planning a replacement candidate, which likely will be tailored to compete against a GOP gubernatorial slate that should be finalized next month.

Franks, a Democrat from Marengo, said the fact that the office already has been vacant for a year - a result of former Lieutenant Gov. Pat Quinn's assumption of the governor's mansion following Rod Blagojevich's indictment - has not had any negative consequences.

"That may be one of the few bright spots in state government where we have been fiscally responsible," said Franks, who estimated that elimination of the lieutenant governor's office could annually save between $2.5 and $4 million, mostly from staff payroll. "More importantly, by allowing Quinn to handpick his running mate, we are taking away the power of the voters."

Although the Democratic State Central Committee, with Quinn's guidance, will appoint a replacement candidate, the state constitution does not require it. In fact, it says that if the lieutenant governor's office is vacated, then the office should remain empty.

Advocates for the lieutenant governor's office contend that the position represents a clear line of succession behind the governor, although the Illinois constitution declares the attorney general and secretary of state as the next in line should the governor be unable to hold office.

Franks acknowledged that an office with duties that otherwise are largely symbolic might be valuable when it frees up the governor from lighter obligations.

"But I think it's more important to be realistic and honest about the role of lieutenant governor, because it's been reduced to nothing more than ceremonial [duties] and unfortunately is a large expense to our state."

Franks' push comes one day after House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, requested a constitutional amendment that would officially eliminate the lieutenant governor's office.

Franks said that Madigan, who also serves as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, has been contacted about the proposal and it is in consideration.