Ill. special election stalling?

Ill. special election proposal goes political

By Kari Andren Post-Dispatch Springfield Bureau  02/26/2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In a committee meeting punctuated by gavel pounds to restore order, state Senate Republicans accused Senate Democrats of playing politics with a proposal to hold a special election they say is “ready to move.”

The bill by state Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, would slate a special election to replace Sen. Roland Burris in May rather than waiting until the next regular election in November 2010.

Murphy’s bill was on the agenda for a state Senate panel today, but instead was shuffled into a subcommittee. 

Assigning bills to a subcommittee is a classic stall technique and a way to possibly allow a Democratic version of the proposal to advance through the legislative process instead.  Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly.

Republicans have asserted that Burris’ appointment by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is temporary until the seat is filled by an election, which they say could be held even if Burris does not resign his seat.  The GOP claim gained legitimacy when Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, the state’s chief lawyer and a Democrat, agreed.

But Sen. Ricky Hendon, D-Chicago, said it’s still open to debate.

“Just because the Attorney General has said that is not true (that Burris would need to resign in order to be replaced), does not mean the Attorney General is correct,” Hendon said.

Cross-posted at Political Fix.