Gov. Pat Quinn has signed two bills making changes to Illinois election law. One allows a 2016 special election to replace late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, and the other makes permanent several changes voters saw in November’s election. Topinka died last month after winning a second term. There’s been disagreement about succession plans. Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner says his appointee should stay in office for four years. He plans to name Republican businesswoman Leslie Munger. But lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate approved the special election plan Thursday, which cuts Munger’s term to two years. Munger has said she’ll run in 2016.
The new law requires a special election any time a vacancy occurs in the offices of attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller or treasurer with least 28 months left in the term.
The other bill the outgoing governor signed makes permanent such rules as allowing voters to register and cast ballots on the same day.
Full Article: Quinn signs election bills into law – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL.