Post by Logan on Apr 21, 2016 17:51:03 GMT -6
Despite consolidation push, lawmakers let lieutenant governor job survive
Illinois lawmakers Thursday rejected eliminating the state office now held by Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti of Wheaton, who has championed government consolidation in her first term in office.
State Sen. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, pushed the amendment to the constitution, saying the lieutenant governor job comes with no real responsibilities and eliminating the post would save $1.6 million per year.
"Your constituents have told you they want this to occur," Cullerton said.
But Republicans and some Democrats worried about who would succeed a governor who died or left office. Under Cullerton's plan, the attorney general would be next in line, and critics said installing a new governor of a different party would go against voters.
Read more: www.dailyherald.com/article/20160421/news/160429678/
Illinois lawmakers Thursday rejected eliminating the state office now held by Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti of Wheaton, who has championed government consolidation in her first term in office.
State Sen. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, pushed the amendment to the constitution, saying the lieutenant governor job comes with no real responsibilities and eliminating the post would save $1.6 million per year.
"Your constituents have told you they want this to occur," Cullerton said.
But Republicans and some Democrats worried about who would succeed a governor who died or left office. Under Cullerton's plan, the attorney general would be next in line, and critics said installing a new governor of a different party would go against voters.
Read more: www.dailyherald.com/article/20160421/news/160429678/