By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO) A suburban Republican State lawmaker is pushing a plan to get rid of the office of Illinois Lieutenant Governor.     Barrington Republican Rep. David McSweeney told “The Big John and Ray Show” on WLS that the office is not needed, and is a waste of money.

“There are no constitutional duties.   My view in this environment especially when the state is insolvent, that it’s a position that is unnecessary, that we should lead by example and eliminate it.  There are no constitutional duties for  Lieutenant Governor.”

McSweeney’s bill easily passed the House in the just-concluded spring legislative session, but failed to pass the Senate.

Eliminating the position would require an amendment to the Illinois Constitution, and would require a three-fifths vote in both the House and Senate.

Under McSweeney’s proposal, the Attorney General would be next in line for the governorship.