CHICAGO - On his way out of office, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a legislative package that includes a measure setting a special election in 2016 to fill the latter half of the late Judy Baar Topinka's new term as comptroller.
"These new laws modernize our election process, make same-day voting permanent and help ensure that the people have the power to choose our statewide officials," Quinn, a Democrat, said in signing the legislation over the weekend, before Republican successor Bruce Rauner was sworn in on Monday.
Lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled legislature approved the special election measure last Thursday, a move attacked by Republicans as a political jab at Rauner.
The new law sets up a special election procedure for most constitutional offices, including the secretary of state and attorney general, when a vacancy or "failure to qualify" occurs with more than 28 months remaining in a term. The election would occur at the next regularly scheduled election.
The General Assembly's vote along party lines comes just a few days ahead of the new Republican governor's swearing in Monday. Many believe the debate is a harbinger of the tussles that lie ahead between Democratic leaders, who enjoy a veto-proof majority, and the new Republican administration.
"This bill has to do with succession," House sponsor, Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Curie, D-Chicago, said in defense of the legislation against Republican attacks over its timing. "It is about the right of the people to select their leaders it sets a procedure in place anytime there is a vacancy of 28 months or more" for most of the state's constitutional officers.
Republicans attacked Democrats' motives, accusing them of making a political power play to strip the new governor of his right under current law to allow his appointee to fill out the term. They questioned the rushed manner, suggesting the issue should instead be the subject of a constitutional amendment ballot question.
Rauner's choice to fill the post -- Leslie Geissler Munger - was sworn in Monday. Topinka died suddenly late last year after a stroke.
Munger said in published interviews this week she would abide by any action of the General Assembly and would seek reelection in 2016.
The comptroller pays the state's bills and payroll and maintains state and local fiscal records. The office publishes monthly and quarterly reports on the state's fiscal condition and its reports on the size of the bill backlog are closely followed by analysts and investors as a sign of the state's liquidity position.
A legal challenge is still expected to the legislation.
