SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure that Illinois' state government reflects the will of the people, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) voted in support of legislation to create a special election whenever a statewide office is going to be vacant for more than two years.

"One of the core principles of our democracy is letting the people decide who will represent them and manage their government," Koehler said. "We have a responsibility to allow voters to choose who represents them as their attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and comptroller, if one of those offices becomes vacant."

Any vacancy in any of those offices that occurs with more than 28 months remaining in the term would cause a special election at the next general election. Because the special election would coincide with the general election, it would come at no additional cost to taxpayers.

The legislation is House Bill 4567. It now goes to the governor for his approval.