By Emiliana Molina

State Rep. La Shawn Ford wants to bring the power of the state legislature to force a recall of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

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The Democratic state representative is among many in the city who have expressed anger about the way Mayor Rahm Emanuel handled the police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.  Several protests have called for the mayor’s ouster after the delayed release of a video that showed a police officer shooting McDonald 16 times.

Rep. Ford wants Chicago voters to have a chance to recall the mayor, so he introduced a bill in the State House that will compel the city to act. Ford says it will also lay the groundwork for recalling any future politicians who plan to occupy the mayor’s office.

Ed Mullen, civil rights attorney says he doesn’t see this playing out any time soon – the process could take months if not years.

Community leaders and activists held a meeting on Jan. 9 to educate the public on how the bill would work.