Recall debate killed by grade-school antics
SPRINGFIELD -- What some lawmakers referred to as grade-school antics Wednesday likely squashed voters' chances to choose whether they want the ability to recall the governor and other statewide elected officials.
Amid shushing and yelling "one at a time" -- one too many times -- state Sen. Ira Silverstein gave up trying to control his committee. A hearing devoted to recall devolved into lawmakers talking over each other and name-calling.
"We're senators here. We're not kindergartners here," said Silverstein, a Chicago Democrat and chairman of the Senate Executive Committee.
The key committee declined to vote Wednesday on the issue, likely spelling the demise of the effort to allow the recall question to go before voters later this year.
State Rep. Jack Franks, a Woodstock Democrat who sponsored the House version of the amendment, helped to fuel the fire that raged among Senate Democrats in tight alliance with Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"This is not about Gov. Blagojevich," argued Franks, whose House version was approved last week. "It's about the next Blagojevich we might have."
That comment prompted state Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat, to suggest all elected officials, including the Chicago mayor and Cook County board members, be included in the recall provision.
Hendon and others filled nearly two hours of debate with political taunting.
State Sen. Iris Martinez, a Chicago Democrat, suggested Franks be recalled himself for donating money against her re-election efforts.
Hendon then suggested he'd recall Franks for being a Hillary Clinton delegate in the presidential race.
"And a bad hairdo!" he added.
Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. also aired his personal beef with Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, a longtime recall advocate. Quinn has suggested the recall proposal would get held up in Senate "shenanigans."
"I resent you, Mr. Lieutenant Governor. For you to go out, use taxpayers' money and slander the Illinois Senate, I resent that," Jones said, continuing later, "We don't need a lecture from you. I'm still waiting for your apology."
But Quinn turned his attention to state Sen. Donne Trotter for calling the proposal "stupid" and then becoming its sponsor in the Senate.
Trotter, a Chicago Democrat, angrily retorted that Quinn "puts on a cape and flies around the state" in favor of recall.
During the hearing, Senate Republicans barely had a chance to speak as Democrats took turns assailing each other. But those Republicans who did talks said the recall shouldn't get bogged down.
The lack of a committee vote was a crucial setback. The recall amendment would need to be approved by both chambers by May 4 to make the November ballot.