BorgHunter
03-26-2004, 01:40 PM
http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/032604/new_20040326026.shtml
SPRINGFIELD -- President Bush could find himself on the Illinois ballot this fall after all.
Legislation approved unanimously in the state Senate on Thursday would make a technical change in state election law to allow Bush to appear on the ballot.
If the change isn't adopted by the House later this spring, Illinois voters would not seethe president's name on the ballot.
That's because by the time Bush is nominated at the Republican convention in New York City in September, the deadline to get on the Illinois ballot will have passed in August.
Last fall, state lawmakers tried to remedy the situation, but their efforts fell victim to partisan maneuvers after Democrats added language that would have erased thousands of dollars in campaign fines pending against dozens of state politicians.
That language was struck from the latest version of the bill, which was sponsored by state Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, and not opposed by Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.
"This shows that Emil Jones has bipartisan cooperation in his heart," said state Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-Chicago.
After the first version of the bill died late last year, Republicans openly worried the Democrat-controlled General Assembly could block the ability of Illinois voters to cast ballots for Bush.
Along with crafting new legislation, the GOP considered filing a lawsuit to force the issue.
Hendon said the absence of Democratic opposition Thursday shows Jones is not a "petty, political person."
The legislation is Senate bill 2123.
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Serves 'em right. The GOP pushed back the convention to have it closer to 9/11, the Republicans' biggest selling point. If they do that, they miss the deadline. Deadlines are there for a reason.
SPRINGFIELD -- President Bush could find himself on the Illinois ballot this fall after all.
Legislation approved unanimously in the state Senate on Thursday would make a technical change in state election law to allow Bush to appear on the ballot.
If the change isn't adopted by the House later this spring, Illinois voters would not seethe president's name on the ballot.
That's because by the time Bush is nominated at the Republican convention in New York City in September, the deadline to get on the Illinois ballot will have passed in August.
Last fall, state lawmakers tried to remedy the situation, but their efforts fell victim to partisan maneuvers after Democrats added language that would have erased thousands of dollars in campaign fines pending against dozens of state politicians.
That language was struck from the latest version of the bill, which was sponsored by state Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, and not opposed by Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.
"This shows that Emil Jones has bipartisan cooperation in his heart," said state Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-Chicago.
After the first version of the bill died late last year, Republicans openly worried the Democrat-controlled General Assembly could block the ability of Illinois voters to cast ballots for Bush.
Along with crafting new legislation, the GOP considered filing a lawsuit to force the issue.
Hendon said the absence of Democratic opposition Thursday shows Jones is not a "petty, political person."
The legislation is Senate bill 2123.
---------------------------------------------------
Serves 'em right. The GOP pushed back the convention to have it closer to 9/11, the Republicans' biggest selling point. If they do that, they miss the deadline. Deadlines are there for a reason.