Springfield, IL – State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) has filed two bills aimed at holding all elected officials accountable in Illinois. The legislation, which includes a bill and constitutional amendment, would allow the public to initiate proceedings resulting in recall elections of elected officials in Illinois.
“Considering the current situation in Illinois with elected officials, both at the state and local levels, these bills merit immediate consideration,” stated Rep. Ugaste. “Illinois residents deserve to have measures in place that provide options to remove elected officials who are behaving recklessly or are neglecting their constituents without fear of any repercussions.”
House Bill 5924 provides for the recall of local elected officials upon the circulation of petitions and a vote of 60 percent to remove them from office. House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 22 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would provide for a recall mechanism for all elected officials, including state officeholders. This includes the Senate President and Speaker of the House. Illinois residents deserve accountability from their elected officials, some of whom hold massive power over the entire state but are only elected by a small fraction of residents.
Rep. Ugaste, along with Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud), held a press conference explaining these bills today in Springfield. Rep. Ugaste is asking for the 103rd General Assembly to consider these bills during the current Lame Duck Session, but he intends to refile them in the upcoming 104th General Assembly if necessary.