Is It Time For a Recall Amendment?

Given the Governor's high-profile bickering with state lawmakers, ongoing criminal investigations into his campaign, failure to resolve the state's energy rate crisis, and the fact that he sprung an $8 billion Gross Receipts Tax increase on the state without having given the plan a single mention during his multi-million dollar re-election campaign, one has to wonder how long it will be before a member of the General Assembly files a Constitutional Amendment to allow for the Governor's recall.

I'll admit, I was one of the many folks who found California's recall process a little chaotic and comical, and I'm not 100% sure that the same issues can be avoided here. It's also pretty clear that the stated reason for Gov. Gray Davis's recall - the California energy crisis - wasn't his fault, but was caused by the energy companies themselves.

Still, the real reason for Davis's ouster was that he was a self-centered, vindictive tyrant who couldn't get along with lawmakers, even from his own party. And it's not hard for even Democrats to make the case that Californians are much better off.

Sound familiar?

California's recall provision gives citizens 160 days to circulate petitions stating the reason for the recall -- which is not reviewable. The required number of valid signatures is 12 percent of the number of ballots cast in the previous election for the statewide candidate being recalled. In Blagojevich's case, that would still require more than 418,558 signatures.

A vote on the recall question would be held at the next regularly scheduled primary or general election, if within 180 days, otherwise on a date set by the Governor between 60 and 80 days from when the petition is certified.

The Governor would be removed by a simple majority of ballots cast and his successor would be selected by a plurality from a pool of candidates on the same ballot (no primary here).

Blagojevich and George Ryan present strong cases for at least giving voters the option of recall. Moreover, I think the mere possibility of recall ensures that the Governor plays nice with everyone else in the sandbox, and I have no doubt the Governor would be a little more ready to negotiate with lawmakers and sense greater urgency on the electric rate issue if a recall was hanging over his head.

What are your thoughts:

Should Illinois allow recall?

How should Illinois' recall provisions differ, if at all, from California's?

Do you think a Constitutional Amendment could garner the required 2/3 vote in both chambers? Who should sponsor it?

What grounds would you give for recalling Blagojevich?

Do you think a petition drive could garner the necessary signatures?

Would the recall succeed, and who would you like to see as Blagojevich's successor?