Constitutional Convention for Illinois

Odds long for constitutional convention
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1046034,CST-EDT-Carol09.article

July 9, 2008
CAROL MARIN cmarin@suntimes.com

What do Barack Obama, the legislative morass in Springfield, and a constitutional convention have in common?

A lot, according to United Power for Action and Justice, a Chicago-based social action network of 300 religious, labor and civic organizations.

United Power's Gregory Pierce fired off a letter to Sen. Obama Tuesday. The first paragraph says it all:
"Our nonpartisan organization . . . was surprised to learn that David Axelrod's public relations firm has negotiated a contract of at least $2 million to lead a campaign against the state's best chance for change in 20 years -- the upcoming referendum on whether or not the citizens of Illinois should call a constitutional convention to deal with the mess in Springfield. While your campaign manager is heading a presidential effort whose slogan is "Change you can believe in," his firm is running a local campaign whose slogan should read, "Change we must fear and undermine."

Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist, did not call me back Tuesday.

But this debate over convening a constitutional convention, something voters will get to say yea or nay to on the November ballot, is simmering. And maybe it will boil, depending on the raging discontent of the citizens of this state.
Today's special session of the Legislature in Springfield will only add to the outrage as Gov. Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan slug it out once again in a budget battle that has no end and a desperately needed capital plan that has no beginning.

Go to our News on Constitutional Convention Page to read alerts, external blogs, and reports on the constitutional convention. If you find an article we should add to the site email kamaria.porter@gmail.com.
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Chicago Tribune Op-Ed for Constitutional Convention

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

By Gregory F. Augustine Pierce
July 1, 2008

Wanna send a message to Springfield? Better yet, wanna change the way they do business there?

We can. I'm talking about one of the state's best-kept secrets. On Nov. 4, we'll decide in a referendum whether to hold a state Constitutional Convention. The Con Con, as it's informally known, is on the ballot every 20 years, thanks to the foresight of the people who drafted our state constitution in 1968. Like Thomas Jefferson, they thought the citizens of each generation should have the right to look at how their state government does business and change it if they want.

In 1988, the citizens of Illinois decided, "Hey, things aren't so bad. We just adopted our Constitution 20 years ago. Let's not mess with it now." So we didn't have a Constitutional Convention.

This year, however, maybe we will have a convention because things are so messed up in Springfield that we can't get anything done on things we care about— such as health care and education funding and mass transit and immigrant rights and . . . (supply your own causes here).

How would a Constitutional Convention help?

First of all, it would scare the devil out of the politicians and lobbyists: "The citizens are so upset with us that they're calling a Constitutional Convention? What's next—tea in the harbor at Navy Pier, Minutemen in Peoria?"

Second, it would allow citizens to make some fundamental, structural changes in the way Springfield does (or doesn't do) business:

Want to recall the governor? You can't now, but a Constitutional Convention could give you the chance.

Like term limits or campaign-finance limits (at least for people with the last names Daley, Stroger or Madigan)? Can't do it now, but a Constitutional Convention could recommend some.

Wish judges were chosen on merit rather than being slated by the Democratic or Republican machines? Hate the fact that the richest person in Illinois pays the same income tax rate that you do? Or that the only idea for increased revenue that our politicians can come up with is to open a casino in every Starbucks? Answers: Constitutional Convention, Constitutional Convention, Constitutional Convention.

Why wouldn't we be for a Con Con when we go to the polls in November? Are things that good in Springfield? Is grass-roots democracy such a scary thought? Can we really not afford to spend what amounts to a measly few million dollars to ensure we are holding our public officials accountable?

I'm going to be 80 when this next comes up in 2028. Maybe things will be better in Springfield then, but I doubt it.

My pastor, Rev. Greg Sakowicz, always says, "If not now, when? If not us, who?" Vote yes on the Constitutional Convention. They can't stop us, unless we let them.

Gregory F. Augustine Pierce is the chairman of the Constitutional Convention task force of United Power for Action and Justice.

The debate on a constitutional convention is just beginning to heat up. Here is a blog in Springfield that is following the issue:

http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2008/01/22/zorn-on-the-con-con/