By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – With one former Illinois governor in prison and another facing corruption charges, the state Senate has decided to let voters choose whether they want the power to recall governors in the future.
The Senate's vote means a constitutional amendment will be placed on the ballot in November of next year. If it passes, Illinois will adopt a complex mechanism for recalling governors seen as corrupt or incompetent.
The recall idea is supported by Gov. Pat Quinn, who took office in January after his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, was impeached.
Blagojevich was ousted after he was accused of trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat. He has pleaded not guilty, and his federal trial is set to start in June.