New!

These debates were hosted by the Illinois League of Women Voters and held last month at the Barrington Library.

A special thank you goes out to the League of Women Voters of Illinois for giving me free access to the video and the right to publish it.

If you want to know more about the League of Women voters, please go to www.lwvil.org

Project Vote Smart is a non-partisan website that helps you keep track of your elected officials’ votes and actions. Complete history of votes is available as is bio’s, and other helpful information. (Note: does not include local municipalities of counties)

http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm

The Illinois Constitutional Convention

The question of whether or not Illinois should have a Constitutional Convention is up for debate this election year. On your ballot this November 4, you will be asked to vote for or against the convention.

Why Is It on the Ballot?
Basically, the Illinois Constitution requires (unless already brought up or considered prior) that the question of a con-con be placed on the ballot every 20 years. The last con-con was voted on in 1968, and wrapped up in 1970. The last con-con vote was in 1988 and was defeated. A con-con will be called if approved by three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election.

What Is the Purpose?
The purpose of a Con-Con is to review the constitution and recommend changes needed. The entire constitution is potentially a target. Anything contained in the constitution can recommended for change, removal, review, or addition. The only con-con is not the only way to change the constitution; we are able to make adjustments to the con-con through our legislative system via amendments.

Who?
Delegates, elected by the General Assembly (two per legislative district) meet and discuss which portions of the Illinois Constitution will be addressed. Only delegates can choose the issues to be reviewed. Delegates could derive from special interest groups, business leaders, community leaders, or from current legislators; the General Assembly decides who will allowed to run for election of a con-con; so in reality, they may determine that only current legislators can be considered for delegates or they may decide the opposite.

When?
The convention must take place within three months of the election of delegates. The length of the convention is unknown. It can take as long as it takes. The cost to Illinois taxpayers could be astronomical; upwards of over $100M or more!

What?
A con-con opens the entire Illinois constitution up for review, deletion, and change. Some issues that may be addressed include, but are not limited to:

–  Allowing for a graduated income tax
–  Campaign finance reform
–  Education issues such as prayer in the classroom, creationism, etc
–  Human euthanasia
–  Immigration issues
–  Increases in property tax levies
–  Pensions for public employees
–  Recall of elected officials
–  Religious freedom
–  Restrictions on the governors veto power
–  Right to bare arms rights
–  Term limits

My Analysis
We cant afford a con-con, but that shouldnt be the only reason not to have one. Given that we are able to amend the constitution via amendments on an as-needed basis, I cant find justification for a con-con, given there is no major change (since 1970) in political climate to do so. Having a con-con now would be equivalent to remodeling your entire home, even though you really don’t need to, and really can’t afford to. Instead, you could remodel as needed and update room-by-room, year-by-year instead of all at once.

More resources to help you decide:

http://www.lwvil.org/ConCon.asp

http://conconillinois.com/

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/constitutionalcon.html

http://www.illinoisconstitution.org/