SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon, who has long championed making elections more open and accessible to the people, believes that voters should be able to pick Illinois’ comptroller.

“The voters are entitled to make their voices heard in a special election for comptroller,” the Oak Park Democrat said. “Our democracy works best when people rather than politicians make decisions like this, which is one of the reasons I’ve fought so hard to make it easier to vote.”

The General Assembly returned to the State Capitol on Thursday for a special session to consider a special election for comptroller in 2016. The meeting was necessary due to the untimely death of Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Because she passed away so soon after the recent election, Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner could appoint her successor to a full term. Harmon and others believe that the people should be able to elect their choice in comptroller at the next general election.

The proposal that passed the General Assembly addresses any situation where a statewide elected official dies or resigns with more than 28 months left in his or her term. It would create a special election for comptroller, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer at the next general election.

Harmon noted that he also is in favor of the idea of eliminating the office of comptroller and assigning its duties to another statewide officer in an effort to reduce duplication and save the state money. The Senate passed a constitutional amendment to accomplish this in 2011 with Harmon’s support, but the House did not take the measure up.

The legislation to create a special election for comptroller is House Bill 4576. It now goes to the governor for his approval.