Final Push Completed, notarized petition sheets due to Sam by Sun., Aug. 2 — absolute latest: Noon Mon., Aug. 3

Featured by NPR Illinois

Sangamon County Board Member Seeking to Put Recall Referendum on November Ballot

NPR Illinois reports that Sam Cahnman is collecting signatures to let Sangamon County residents vote on the power to recall sheriffs and other county officers. The story highlights the August 3 deadline, the 6,359-signature requirement, and the campaign's roots in the public demand for accountability after the Sonya Massey tragedy.

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS • Ben Singson • July 27, 2026

Read the NPR Illinois Story Download the Petition

“One way or another, this is going to get on the ballot.” — Sam Cahnman, quoted by NPR Illinois

New Podcast Interview

Hear Sam Discuss the Recall Referendum Effort

Listen to Sam Cahnman's July 31 interview on Capitol City Now about the campaign to give Sangamon County voters the power to recall county officials. Capitol City Now • July 31, 2026

Listen to the Podcast

Give Sangamon County Voters the Power to Recall

Join Sam and support recall rights!

79% of Illinois voters agree — it's time for accountability. 24 states already have recall powers. Let's bring them to Sangamon County and put power back where it belongs — with the people.

Download and Sign the Petition Learn More Read the Resolution (PDF)

Dear Colleagues,

I and other Democratic County Board members last year introduced a Resolution to put on the April 1st ballot a binding referendum on whether we should adopt Recall for the office of County Sheriff. At our January meeting all Democrats voted Yes on the resolution. Despite the fact that the Massey Commission urged us to adopt Recall; a huge number of citizens asked us to adopt Recall; and polls show 80% support for it, all Republicans voted No, so the resolution lost.

There was a claim we lacked the constitutional authority to adopt Recall via voter referendum even though an Appellate Court has held that the Local Government Article of our State Constitution gives both home rule and non-home rule governments the power to adopt Recall via referendum. Three localities have done so, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove and Wheeling.

Our State Constitution authorizes 2 ways to put a binding referendum on Recall on the ballot. One is by a vote of the County Board. The other is by initiative petition with signatures equal to 8% of the last vote for Governor (6,359 in Sangamon County).

With the assistance of election lawyers and Tony, I prepared the petition to put a binding Recall referendum on the November 2026 General Election ballot — or, if necessary, the next eligible election. We have launched this website to support the petition drive and help voters download, circulate, notarize, and return petition sheets.

Since all Dem Co. Bd. Members voted to put the binding referendum on the ballot, I am asking the Democratic caucus to endorse the petition drive to put a binding referendum on Recall on the ballot.

A 2024 poll showing 80% support for Recall in Illinois is also attached.

Thanks!
Sam Cahnman

Circulators: Notarize & Turn In Your Petitions

MONDAY, AUGUST 3 IS THE DEADLINE TO FILE THE PETITIONS to put the binding Recall referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot

THANK YOU for getting signatures from Sangamon County registered voters! Two final steps make your sheets count: get every sheet notarized, then get them to Sam before the deadline.

Final Weekend: Notarize Every Completed Petition Sheet Now

Do not wait until filing day. Sign the circulator statement at the bottom of each completed sheet in front of a Notary, have the sheet notarized, and deliver it to Sam as soon as possible. Every valid sheet matters in the final push toward 6,359 signatures.

Why Notarization Matters

Your petition sheets will not count unless you sign the bottom of each sheet as the petition circulator in front of a Notary and have it notarized.

Can't Make It Thursday?

Your bank has a free notary. The Circuit Clerk's Office (4th floor of the County Building, 7th & Monroe) will also notarize for free. If you have trouble finding a notary, contact Sam — call or text his cell at 217-691-6207 or email samcahnman@yahoo.com.

Turn In Your Petitions by Sunday, August 2

Get all completed, notarized petitions to Sam no later than Sunday, August 2 — or at the very latest by 12 Noon on Monday, August 3. Drop them off at Sam's law office, 915 S. 2nd St., Springfield; if no one is in the office, you can leave them between the doors. To make sure Sam is in when you drop off — or to have him drive to you to pick up your petitions — call 217-691-6207 or email samcahnman@yahoo.com.

Need more sheets? Download a blank petition

79.1%

Illinois Voters Support

90.8%

Republican Support

73.4%

Democrat Support

Signatures Needed

Watch & Read on WCIA

📺

Sonya Massey's Father Backs Ballot Measure to Hold Officials Accountable

James Wilburn, Sonya Massey's father, endorsed Sam Cahnman and his push for a binding recall referendum in Sangamon County. Wilburn urged the community to get behind the petition drive to give voters the power to remove local leaders from office.

WCIA News — February 2026

Watch & Read the Full Story

I hope the people in Sangamon County get behind that petition drive and get that thing done.

— James Wilburn

Father of Sonya Massey

Why Sangamon County Needs Recall Rights

Immediate Accountability
Don't wait years to remove officials who betray public trust. Act when action is needed.
Join 24 Other States
Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri and 20 others already empower their citizens this way.
Overwhelming Bipartisan Support
Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all agree — this is about good governance, not politics.
Fair & Balanced Process
High bar ensures stability: 8% of voters must sign petition plus a majority vote at election.
Democratic Power
Government of the people, by the people, for the people — with real teeth.

Which Offices Would Be Subject to Recall?

County Sheriff

County Auditor

County Clerk

County Treasurer

Board Members

How the Recall Process Works

Step 1: Sign the Petition

We need signatures from 8% of voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election. Every signature brings us closer to accountability.

Step 2: Get on the Ballot

Once enough signatures are filed 92 days before the election, the referendum goes on the ballot.

Step 3: Voters Decide

At the next regular election, voters decide whether to establish recall rights for Sangamon County.

Step 4: Implementation

If approved, recall rights take effect, empowering citizens to hold officials accountable between elections.

Where to Collect Signatures

Anywhere Sangamon County voters gather is a great place to ask. Circulators are finding success at:

Shopping Centers

Walmart Parking Lots

Grocery Store Parking Lots

Walgreens & CVS Parking Lots

Churches

Thursday Levitt AMP Concerts on the “Y” Block

Political Rallies

Community Events

Neighbors on Your Block

Signers must be registered Sangamon County voters.

Help Get Signatures on Landlord Registry Advisory Referendum

While getting RECALL signatures, let's help Ald. Roy Williams get signatures for an advisory referendum on whether Springfield should adopt a residential landlord registry, inspection and licensing program similar to other Illinois cities.

The City Council voted down Roy's effort to put this on the Ballot. Let's reverse that with our signatures!

Only city of Springfield voters can sign this petition. Voters from anywhere in Sangamon Co. can sign the Recall Petition.

City Petition should be turned into Faith Coalition For The Public Good, 2208 E. Kansas; 217-544-2297

DOWNLOAD THE LANDLORD REGISTRY PETITION HERE

Downloads & Documents

Download Petition (PDF) Read Resolution (PDF)

Resolution — Text Excerpt

RESOLUTION ---
WHEREAS, this County suffered the tragedy in July 2024 of a deputy sheriff, responding to a 911 call, killing Sonya Massey; and
WHEREAS, investigations revealed many red flags in said deputy's background and law enforcement employment record that should have prevented our elected Sheriff from hiring said deputy; and
WHEREAS, thereafter a large number of citizens addressed the County Board, urging it to adopt Recall; and
WHEREAS, the County Board established the Massey Commission to investigate and recommend solutions to the problems that led to the Massey tragedy; and
WHEREAS, one of the first recommendations made by the Massey Commission was to adopt Recall; and
WHEREAS, Democratic County Board Members offered a Resolution to place a binding referendum on Recall on the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election ballot, but said Resolution was voted down on a party line vote at our January County Board Meeting, with all Democrats voting Yes and all Republicans voting No; and
WHEREAS, the Local Government Article of the Illinois Constitution also enables voters of a County to put a binding Referendum on Recall on the ballot via initiative petition, signed by voters equal to 8% of the last vote for Governor in the County, which in Sangamon is 6,359; and
WHEREAS, public opinion polls show overwhelming Illinois voters support approaching 80% for Recall; and
WHEREAS, many other states, including our neighboring states of Missouri and Wisconsin, have Recall for local elected officials; and

WHEREAS, a petition to place a binding referendum on Recall on the ballot in Sangamon County is currently being circulated;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Members of the Democratic Caucus of the Sangamon County Board in session this 9th day of September, 2025 that we endorse and support the voter initiative petition drive to place a binding referendum on Recall for Sangamon County elected officials on the ballot, and urge voters to circulate and sign said petition.

Ready to Make History?

Join Sam Cahnman and Sangamon County voters engaged with the recall question.

Download Petition Find Signing Locations Volunteer

Must be a registered Sangamon County voter to sign. Circulators: petitions must be notarized and filed by Monday, August 3 — details here.