Lake County Gazette

Lake County assistant state's attorney Rod Drobinski (R), who is challenging incumbent Sam Yingling (D) in the 62nd District race for state representative, recently declared his support for House Bill 4356, the "Rahm Recall" legislation.

"I strongly support ...  any measure that gives power to us, the people, to hold corrupt politicians accountable,” Drobinski said. “It's the right thing to do. I'm disappointed, but not surprised that my opponent has not joined in this fight; after all, Speaker (Michael) Madigan and special interests have spent over $1 million keeping him in office."

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner publicly announced he would sign the bill into law at a recent media event in Oak Brook. Although Rauner and Emanuel have a history of rapport, their relationship has grown tense since Rauner’s inauguration.

The governor is not alone. Lake County Republican Party Chairman Mike Amrozowicz also backs the bill filed by State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Dist. 8) that would create a procedure for recalling Emanuel. Amrozowicz and more than a dozen other candidates in the Senate race have signed a statement crafted by Chicago’s Illinois Opportunity Project (IOP) in support of pending House Bill (H.B.) 4356.

“It is about giving the power back to the people of Illinois, not just in Chicago, but in Illinois as a whole,” Dawn Abernathy, GOP candidate for the 59th House District, said. “We need to reform Illinois.”

The IOP statement calls on the General Assembly and each candidate’s opponent “to protect the families and children of Chicago, and empower them with the ability to recall” Emanuel. 

The 59th District's incumbent State Rep. Carol Sente (D) reportedly will not support H.B. 4356.