It's only the first week of his first elected term, but already Gov. Pat Quinn is the subject of at least one recall effort.
Motivating the online petition is the state's new income tax hike, which raises the personal rate from three percent to five percent. Quinn signed the bill into law earlier Thursday.
Neil A. Wurzer, purportedly of Olympia Fields, Ill., according to his Change.org profile, says the governor "has failed to protect the fiscal integrity of the state" and is "governing against the will of the people."
Democrats say the tax hike will generate about $7 billion a year and is necessary to close the state's gaping budget hole.
By design, recalling a governor isn't an easy task.
Collecting signatures is the first step. According to the amendment passed by voters last year, 15 percent of the state's voters who cast ballots in the last gubernatorial election would need to provide their John Hancock. That's about 525,000 signatures, and at least 100 of them must come from each of at least 25 Illinois counties.
At least 20 state representatives and 10 state senators would also need to sign off on the effort.
Once the signatures are ratified by the State Board of Elections and enough elected leaders give their support, the measure would be put to the state in the form of a vote. A full 50 percent of voters would need to approve the measure to send the governor packing.
It's also important to note that, according to the sponsor of recall amendment legislation, a governor can't be recalled within the first six months of office. And the 100-signature provision included in the amendment could make the entire thing unconstitutional.
Change.org: Petition to recall Gov Quinn for failure to protect the fiscal soundness of the state of Illinois
