I’m running for Lt. Governor!

Well, since the Democrats in Illinois are taking on-line applications for the open spot on the ballot, I’m not really running for Lt. Governor. But I did submit my on-line application for the ballot spot. Here’s what I said in my application:

I hereby pledge that if chosen to run and if elected by the People of Illinois to the office of Lieutenant Governor:

I will resign on my first day of office, which means under the Constitution of Illinois that the office will remain vacant until the next election.

This will provide time for the legislature to organize a Constitutional Amendment to eliminate the office.

I will not take a salary for the office of Lt. Governor.

I will not staff the office of the Lt. Governor.

I will not spend a single dollar of the taxpayer’s of Illinois hard earned money on an unnecessary elected office.

* The FY2008 cost of the office of Lt. Governor was approximately $2.4Million.

* The FY2009 cost (enacted) was $2.1 Million.

* The recommended FY2010 cost is $1.35 Million.

* Over a term of four years, I will save the citizens of Illinois over $5 Million dollars.

Although the Lt. Governor’s duties include chairing several committees, I am quite confident that those committees may be served well by other members who may step up to fill the vacant chairmanship. As for succession, upon my resignation, the Attorney General would succeed the Governor should the Governor be unable/unwilling to serve.

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Yes, I’m doing this to make a point. I think it’s a bit odd that the Democratic Party is taking applications for the nomination on-line. I also think the office of Lt. Governor is pretty unnecessary, given the extremely limited duties of the office and what it costs to run a governmental office that does so little.

But I’m also 100% serious.