Gov. Pat Quinn wants to change Illinois' constitution to allow voters to enact ethics reform through popular initiative and referendum.

Quinn called for the passage of the so-called "Lincoln Amendment" on Sunday which would have been Abraham Lincoln's 203rd birthday.

The Democrat says the amendment will give Illinois voters the power to directly implement stronger ethics laws and recall elected officials. Currently, voters can only propose by popular initiative amendments to the Illinois constitution that deal with structure and procedure of the General Assembly.

The proposed amendment allows voters to directly impact ethics laws. It's sponsored by state Sen. Annazette Collins, who's a Chicago Democrat.

Quinn says voters deserve the power to recall any elected official and enact ethical standards by referendum.