In an opinion piece, State Representative David McSweeney and State Senator Darrin LaHood are out this morning calling on the Illinois Senate leadership (ahem...Senate President Cullerton) to put their proposed constitutional amendment up for a vote in the Senate.
From the piece:
To say that the state's No. 2 office is not exactly essential is an understatement.
Last year, the Illinois House approved our proposed constitutional amendment to give voters the opportunity to eliminate the office of lieutenant governor. To get the amendment on the November ballot, the Senate has to pass the proposal by May 4.
Voters will have the option in November to consider constitutional amendments dealing with victims' rights and voters' rights. Illinois law allows the legislature to place up to three constitutional amendments covering different sections of the Illinois Constitution on the ballot in each general election. Two amendments are already on the ballot. We urge our colleagues in the Senate to make our proposal to eliminate the office of lieutenant governor the third.
Talk about a luxury we can no longer afford: Eliminating this unnecessary position in Illinois government could save the state approximately $2 million a year.
The fact that a former occupant of the office left the position early because he was bored and another quit — on his second try — is a clear reminder that the office is not exactly a hotbed of activity. Other than being involved in the Rural Bond Bank of Illinois, the Illinois River Coordinating Council and the Illinois Main Street program, there is little the lieutenant governor has the authority to do.
The time has come for the Senate leadership to put the proposed amendment up for a vote. Give voters a chance to dump the office on Nov. 4.
