From the Bloomington Pantagraph (Editorial):

Blagojevich shows why Illinoisans need recall power
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board

In letters to the editor, Web site comments, casual conversations and elsewhere, disgruntled Illinoisans are saying the governor should be recalled.

There's only one problem. There is no recall provision in the Illinois
Constitution - yet.

Legislation pending in the Senate and House would give Illinoisans the
power to "fire" elected officials who aren't doing their jobs.

That legislation should be approved quickly so voters can make their voices heard in 2008 instead of having to wait until 2010.

Every day Rod Blagojevich remains governor and every day this state is
dragged down by his lack of leadership, snubbing of the Constitution and other misdeeds, the need for a recall provision becomes clearer.

Blagojevich isn't the only reason Illinois should allow elected officials to be recalled, but he is a glaring example of the need for recall procedures.

As noted in a recent Chicago Tribune editorial, he is "an intentionally
divisive governor and profoundly unhelpful influence" who has lacked leadership in crucial matters, been under investigation for alleged corruption, redirected money to his personal projects without legislative authority and "borrowed from the future" for today's costs.

As Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said last week, the anger stirred up by Blagojevich has created "a moment in history" in which a recall procedure could be approved.

Even though Quinn did not call for Blagojevich's ouster, he captured the feelings of many Illinoisans when he said, "If someone is doing a bad job in a private employment job, the employer doesn't have to wait
four years to let them go."

Unfortunately, a citizen initiative like the one Quinn spearheaded years ago to cut the size of the General Assembly is not an option for
creating a recall mechanism. Citizen-led petition drives for state constitutional amendments are only allowed to make changes in the legislative section of the Constitution.

For a recall provision to be added to the Constitution, three-fifths of
each branch of the Legislature must vote in favor of putting it on the
ballot. Then, three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election must approve the change.

We agree with Quinn that this "moment in history" has generated much support for such an amendment.

The two resolutions introduced in August have languished in the Rules Committees of their respective houses since then. The Senate version has four sponsors/co-sponsors - all Republicans from Northern Illinois.
The House version is sponsored by two McHenry County representatives, Jack Franks, a Democrat from Woodstock and Michael Tryon, a Republican
from Crystal Lake.

We want more co-sponsors to sign on to these resolutions, including our
senators and representatives from the Pantagraph area.

Eighteen other states allow recalls of elected officials. It is a power
that is used rarely - only two governors have been removed by that method in U.S. history - but it is a powerful reminder to politicians.

As we said in an Aug. 12 editorial, "Even if voters don't resort to a recall, knowing the option is there could make these public officials more responsive to the public."