Springfield residents saw two of Sangamon County Board member Sam Cahnman’s proposals move forward on Tuesday, a step that could place a recall referendum on the April 6 ballot and introduce new limits on plastic utensils in take‑out orders.
According to Capitol City Now, the board voted to send Cahnman’s revised recall proposal to its Election Committee after earlier versions were rejected for not following standard procedures. The measure would allow voters to recall county‑elected officials, a change Cahnman has pursued since the 2024 death of Sonya Massey at the hands of a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy. “Basically, this was a holding that we, as a county, do have the legal authority under the state Constitution to enact recall,” Cahnman, a Democrat from District 18, told the board.
Cahnman cited recent court rulings in Aurora and Kane County that upheld similar recall measures as constitutional. He noted that the Kane County decision is currently being appealed to the Second District Appellate Court and has been fully briefed there. “It’s been fully briefed by the Appellate Court in the Second District,” he said, adding that he does not know when the court will rule but hopes it will affirm the trial court’s decision. No timeline for the appellate ruling was provided.
In the same meeting, Cahnman introduced an ordinance change aimed at reducing single‑use plastic waste. The proposal would prohibit local restaurants from automatically providing plastic utensils with take‑out orders unless a customer specifically requests them. “Many customers usually take this to‑go food home or to the office, where they use their own utensils,” Cahnman explained. He referenced a 2021 statistic that 139,000,000 tons of single‑use plastic waste were generated nationwide, arguing that the ordinance mirrors policies already adopted in other Illinois cities.
The political backdrop to these initiatives includes Cahnman’s recent loss in the March primary for his board seat. After his defeat, he announced a bid for a seat on the Springfield City Council, an office he previously held. Cahnman, an attorney, said his continued public service reflects his commitment to local governance.
What’s next: The Election Committee will review the recall proposal and determine whether to place it on the April 6 ballot, giving voters a direct say in the future of county officials. The anti‑plasticware ordinance will likely be scheduled for a public hearing before the board decides its fate. Springfield residents are encouraged to monitor board meetings and upcoming election materials for further details.
Sources: capitolcitynow.com
