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CHICAGO (FOX 32 / AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner says he would sign legislation allowing voters to recall the mayor of Chicago, but he says the law wouldn't apply to Rahm Emanuel.
Rauner said Monday he hasn't studied the measure introduced by Democratic state Rep. LaShawn Ford. But he says based on what he's been told "I would sign that bill."
“I would sign that bill, number one. Number two, I'll say I'm broadly supportive of the recall concept in general for all elected officials,” Rauner said. "That would be the best bill to pass."
Shortly after the governor expressed his support, Rep. Ford said a town hall meeting this weekend will debate allowing the recall of other elected officials.
“I want to add any office that the constituents and the People of Illinois want,” said Rep. Ford.
The fierce opposition of Illinois Sen. President John Cullerton is a big reason the recall proposal may go nowhere. A spokeswoman said Cullerton considers recall "reckless and dangerous," adding that voters may replace any public official at the next regular election, which is in 2019 in the case of Mayor Emanuel.
Surveys last month showed voters favored recall.
“Great idea! Get rid of him. I feel like he hasn't did anything,” said Dameon Reed.
“At this point, I'm not seeing anyone else who can really take the task for the city like Chicago,” said Michael Solomon.
FOX 32: So, you don't want to recall him?
“I do not,” Solomon said.
Asked last month about the mayor's job performance, 40 percent approved and 56 percent disapproved.
And so does the governor.
“He's inherited trouble. But he hasn't taken on a lot of structural changes,” Rauner said. “They're raising taxes and not doing real structural change.”
“I'll say this and I'm going to leave it at that. I am very disappointed in the mayor,” he added.
The governor said his lawyers don't think a new recall law could take effect until after the next mayoral election in 2019.
A spokesman for Mayor Emanuel responded Monday: "The Mayor's focus is not on his own personal politics. He is...committed to driving real solutions for our city today, tomorrow and in the months ahead."
Rauner says his attorneys advised him that a recall law would apply only to lawmakers elected in the future, not sitting office holders.
Ford proposed the bill after Chicago released squad-car video of a white officer shooting a black teen 16 times, sparking heavy criticism of Emanuel.
Illinois law only addresses the recall of a governor.