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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has proposed legislation to end the state office of lieutenant governor.

Madigan on Wednesday filed the legislation, which would amend the state Constitution to eliminate the post.

The proposal would abolish the elected office in 2015 and designate the Illinois attorney general as the governor's successor, if needed.

Madigan's legislation comes after Democratic voters nominated Scott Lee Cohen for lieutenant governor in the Illinois primary last week. But Cohen dropped out of the race after the public learned he'd been accused of domestic abuse, skipping child support payments, steroid abuse and more.

Voters would have to approve the measure in the general election if Illinois lawmakers pass the legislation.

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