EDITORIAL: Recall power? Don't stop with the mayor's office

Jan. 07--Prompted by harsh criticism of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's handling of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald, a lawmaker has filed a bill that would allow Chicago voters to recall their mayor.

That power does not now exist. The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. LaShawn K. Ford would set terms for how the public, through a petition drive, could schedule a recall election.

The biggest flaw in the bill: It's too narrow.

Lawmakers, why stop with the mayor? What about you?

Why shouldn't voters have the power to recall any public official?

We've seen this act before. Back in 2009, the legislature was fresh off the impeachment and removal of disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The public was riled. Democratic leaders of the legislature -- who had helped Blagojevich get re-elected -- desperately wanted to create the illusion they were going to create new ethical standards for Illinois government.

Part of the ruse: They passed a constitutional amendment to allow voters to recall the governor. Voters in the 2010 election approved the amendment.

It was an awfully cynical move by the pols, though, because they had rejected proposed amendments that would allow voters to recall all state executive officers and legislators. That is, to recall them.

Instead, the House and Senate passed an amendment that protected every officeholder except one, the governor.

But that was no surprise. It was consistent with how state legislators and their leaders fiercely protect themselves from the wrath of voters.

They draw legislative boundaries designed to favor incumbents. As a result, most run for re-election against token opposition.

They pass election laws that make it harder for challengers to compete. They pass campaign finance rules designed to focus power in leadership and bury competition. They refuse to subject themselves to voter recall.

A citizens initiative, the Independent Maps coalition, has gathered more than 400,000 signatures to put an amendment on the 2016 ballot to change how legislative maps are drawn so incumbents can't control the maps and protect themselves. The lawmakers in power despise that idea. A similar citizens effort two years ago got crushed by lawyers for House Speaker Michael Madigan.