Illinois Democrats play hardball with one of their own, could benefit GOP

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is calling for a special election for the U.S. Senate seat if its current occupant Roland Burris does not step down within two weeks.

Appearing on WGN radio this morning, Quinn said he believes the state can enact a special election that will force Burris out of office. Under Illinois law, appointments to Senate vacancies last until the next federal election, which is scheduled for next year. Burris was appointed by three weeks after Blagojevich’s Dec. 9 arrest on federal criminal charges of allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat for personal or political gain. But Attorney General Lisa Madigan suggested the appointment to the Senate is temporary until the next election. Lawmakers are proposing to move up the 2010 election for the Senate seat to May. Unlike his Democratic colleagues, Quinn supported holding a special election for the seat given up by President Barack Obama.

Since taking office Burris has been under a cloud of ethical scrutiny concerning his relationship with the disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Practically since Burris went to D.C., and not in the tradition of Jefferson Smith, Illinois leaders have demanded Burris resign his seat.

The special election could cost the state between $20 and $50 million. According to the Chicago Tribune, Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine), who is sponsoring special-election legislation, said the balloting could cost half that amount or less and said the state could subsidize the costs to local election authorities by tapping $15 million set aside in the current budget for pork-barrel projects.

If a special election is held, Illinois Republicans will benefit in two ways. First, Quinn will not be able to appoint another Democrat to hold the seat. Secondly, Republicans can win the seat, provided the campaign of likely replacement Rep. Peter Roskam or Rep. Mark Kirk capitalizes on the corruption of the Democratic Party. Republicans need to hammer the Democratic establishment over supporting Blagojevich, failing to hold a special election instead of allowing the disgraced Blagojevich to name Burris to the Senate seat. Republicans could also benefit if a group of black Chiacgo aldermen keep their threat and buck the Democrats for supporting the ouster of Burris - although that threat is unlikely to be held in a general election.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross said a special election will restore trust to the people of Illinois.

“This (will) give the people of Illinois an opportunity to be involved,” Cross said at a news conference. “They don’t trust us, and one of the ways we can restore trust with them is to give them the opportunity to be involved in this process.”