Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Outgoing Sangamon County Board member Sam Cahnman didn’t get his way a third time.
The County Board Tuesday night rejected putting a question on the November election ballot asking voters if they want to be able to recall county elected officials. Efforts to make the proposed binding referendum an advisory referendum only also failed. Both were rejected on 19-6 votes.
This is at least the third attempt to get recall on an election ballot since the July, 2024 death of Sonya Massey. Then-Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned, as there was no recall mechanism then. Cahnman admits that Campbell “did the right thing” by resigning.
But, as for recalling locally-elected officials, Cahnman says if enacted, it would be legal.
“The governing bodies (in the Chicago suburbs) authorized binding referendums to enact recall. People voted. They said, yes, they wanted recall,” said Cahnman. “In one of those cities — in Arlington Heights — there actually was a recall question put on the ballot. One of the members of the Arlington Heights City Council was, in fact, recalled. I don’t believe there was any litigation challenging the recall, because it’s clear the Illinois Constitution authorizes recall.”
Those opposed said the state only allows for the recall of the governor, no one else, and is otherwise NOT legal. Both the County Board’s attorney, and Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray, say it can’t be done.
“(The proposed referendum) lays out a process of which this office — the County Clerk’s office and Sangamon County’s Election Office — is being proposed to have to follow. And, I don’t know if I can follow that. I don’t believe I can follow that,” said Gray, based on the Illinois State Board of Elections. “It’s not specifically spelled out in Illinois election code. I’m only actionable to be able to authorize services based upon what’s provided in Illinois law. Today, I don’t see that.”
Sangamon County is subject to a couple lawsuits as of late — one related to a proposed solar farm, and another on the proposed data center near Waverly. Andy Van Meter, County Board Chair, doesn’t want to see another one.
“No one is going to oppose this resolution — now? Right now? No one is,” said Van Meter. “When, in the heat of the moment, when you’re trying to remove an elected official, they’ll oppose this resolution. They’ll say, ‘That thing you passed? You had no authority to pass it.'”
Cahnman questioned the county’s legal sources. Another board member, in voting against the referendum — cited that proper county procedure, and going through the committee process, wasn’t followed.
Earlier this month, an effort to get the referendum question on the ballot via having an appropriate number of signatures on petitions failed. Another effort right after Massey’s death also failed. Members of the former Massey Commission and Massey’s family advocated for changes to allow recall.
The County Board action had to be approved by August 17 to get on the November ballot. No further meetings are scheduled before then. It’s not clear if any further attempts will be made.
