Speaker Michael Madigan's plan to abolish the office of lieutenant governor in 2015 advanced Wednesday despite Republican concerns that too many proposed constitutional amendments might be vying for the November ballot.
Madigan's proposed amendment, which now heads to the full House for
consideration, comes in the wake of Scott Lee Cohen's decision to
resign his position as the Democratic lieutenant governor nominee amid allegations of steroid abuse and domestic violence.
Madigan said the Cohen scenario provided "added interest" to his decision to propose abolishing the post, but it's been an idea he's considered for months. "My position is we don't need the office," Madigan said of the lieutenant governor post.
Under Madigan's measure, the attorney general - a post now held by Madigan's daughter, Lisa Madigan - would be next in the line of succession if the governor resigns or dies. The proposed amendment allows for a member of the other party to assume the office if the governor dies or resigns.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=361663&src=109