Posted on 12/08/2008 8:33:33 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
I checked the state constitution, and I didn’t see any mention of how a U.S. senator should be replaced.
But if Blago is outside the state, wouldn’t Quinn be acting Gov.? That would allow Quinn to appoint someone to the seat. I’m sure the feds could find some excuse to transport Blago to Gary, IN for a day.
Clever. I don’t know. I’m not sure if every state empowers the LT Guv when the Guv leaves the state.
I can’t remember if Corrine Wood was in change while Ryan was smoking blunts with Castro.
The only mention of powers of the lt. gov., in the constitution, are in Article V, Section 14, which states, “The lt. gov. shall perform the duties and exercise the powers in the executive branch that may be delegated to him by the governor and that may be prescribed by law.”
Yeah, I just saw that, unlike the constitutions of many other states, the IL Constitution doesn’t make the Lt. Gov. Acting Governor when the Governor leaves the state. While Blago can agree to temporarily give up power (maybe for a day) so that Quinn can name the Senator, it’s unlikely that Blago will be very cooperative.
SECTION 6. GUBERNATORIAL SUCCESSION
(a) In the event of a vacancy, the order of succession
to the office of Governor or to the position of Acting
Governor shall be the Lieutenant Governor, the elected
Attorney General, the elected Secretary of State, and then as provided by law.
(b) If the Governor is unable to serve because of death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation or other disability, the office of Governor shall be filled by the officer next in line of succession for the remainder of the term or until the disability is removed.
(c) Whenever the Governor determines that he may be
seriously impeded in the exercise of his powers, he shall so
notify the Secretary of State and the officer next in line of succession. The latter shall thereafter become Acting Governor with the duties and powers of Governor. When the
Governor is prepared to resume office, he shall do so by
notifying the Secretary of State and the Acting Governor.
(d) The General Assembly by law shall specify by whom
and by what procedures the ability of the Governor to serve
or to resume office may be questioned and determined. The
Supreme Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction
to review such a law and any such determination and, in the
absence of such a law, shall make the determination under
such rules as it may adopt.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
He can do that when they're both behind bars.
Was this prophetic or what?
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