On Sunday, in my diary Replace Burris Now! Here's how, I opined that Burris's appointment to fill Obama's Senate seat was, by definition of the Seventeenth Amendment, a temoporary one. I further argued that it was within the purview of the Illinois State Legislature to call for a special election at any time before the regular election in 2010.
Well, it seems that the Attorney General of the State of Illinois agrees with me.
Madigan issues surprise opinion on Senate seat
Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a surprise opinion late Wednesday that could pave the way for state lawmakers to cut Sen. Roland Burris' term short by setting a special election.
"It is my opinion that the legislature may pass a law allowing the people of Illinois to elect a U.S. senator to fill the seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Such a law would be consistent with the U.S. Constitution," Madigan said.
In response to inquiries from state lawmakers, the attorney general's 11-page opinion said the U.S. Constitution's 17th Amendment gives a "preference" to the General Assembly to set a special election for the position even though Burris has been formally seated and sworn in by the U.S. Senate.
"A temporary appointee to the U.S. Senate has no right that prevents the General Assembly from passing legislation to enable the people to elect their U.S. senator," she wrote in the opinion.
emphasis mine.
Well, Lisa.. I am glad to be of service to my fellow Illinoisans. Let me know if you need any other good ideas.. I'm just full of 'em! (Or, is it 'full of it'?)