Not Just a "Piece of Paper"
In a two-hour debate on Milt Rosenberg's Extension 720 show on WGN radio last Tuesday night, Greg Baise, president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association and representing the main group opposing a new Illinois constitutional convention repeatedly referred to the constitution as "just a piece of paper."
Of all of the lies and misleading statements I have heard from the opposition, this is the worst. The constitution of Illinois is not just "just a piece of paper." It is the basic document under which we do public business in our state. It is the reason we have a flat, rather than a progressive income tax. It is why corporate taxes are held to an 8 to 5 ratio with those of individuals. It is why our voting districts are gerrymandered by one party or the other (after a coin toss, if you can believe that). It is the reason we cannot recall public officials, even if they do the exact opposite of what they promised to do to get elected. It is why the state is supposed to have "primary" responsibility for education but gets away with much less. It is why judges are slated based on how much money they give to political parties rather than selected based on their merit. It is why we don't have term limits but politicians are allowed to install their kids and other relatives in their jobs right after primaries or elections have been held. The list goes on and on.
So, if the Coalition to Protect the Status Quo (or whatever they call themselves) want to oppose a constitutional convention, they are free to do so. But to say that the constitution of Illinois is "just a piece of paper" and to imply that it doesn't drastically effect how Springfield does business is simply not true.
Besides, if it's "just a piece of paper," how come they are spending millions of dollars trying to get people to vote "no"?
Send Greg Baise a message: "The Illinois state constitution is a sacred document, and the people are the ones who get to change it if we want to." Vote "yes" on the constitutional convention. It is the first thing on the ballot, even before the presidential candidates. That's how important this "piece of paper" really is.
Comments
Parliament
I'm hoping we can get the convention called. I'd like to see the General Assembly scrapped in favor of a parliamentary-type system. There is nothing precluding a state having a parliament--it could spur multi-parties and we would no longer have a governor.
Rather, the leader of the majority party or coalition would be Premier--such as they have in the Canadian provinces. We could also enable a proportional voting system, making the ruling party more accountable.
Unfortunately, the Illinois
Unfortunately, the Illinois constitution has been "just a piece of paper" for a long time. The government doesn't follow its own laws. Administrative agencies make up their own regulations, as they go along. The judicial branch has been castrated, because they have to follow "adminstrative interpretations" in case law.
If you really want to change things, make sure this part of the constitution gets changed. It reads:
"SECTION 9. CIRCUIT COURTS - JURISDICTION
Circuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction of all
justiciable matters except when the Supreme Court has
original and exclusive jurisdiction relating to redistricting
of the General Assembly and to the ability of the Governor to
serve or resume office. Circuit Courts shall have such power
to review administrative action as provided by law."
That last part about Circuit Courts is a local issue. I believe that the wording--"as provided by law" --is too much of a loophole. I think, people should be judged where they live, and not by a three-party intercom with a hearing officer who lives four counties away.
If this state is going to get back to the people, on a local level, all the state agencies need to quit requiring us to call, or go, somewhere else, to have a decision rendered, that affects our lives.
I don't need to name them--everyone has dealt with at least one of them before. It doesn't matter who gets elected--they will always be there. And, you must always go to some other office, somewhere.
But, we do get to elect judges every four years, too. Now, even though the executive branch has been whooping the judicial AND legislative branches, over the last few years, I think the people need a change.
If everyone had a simple form to fill out to get the judge to decide one question "Is this right or not?" Especially, when you have had a run-around with a "state employee" who is having a bad day, doesn't it make you want to sue them?
I would change the last sentence of that section to read:
"Circuit Courts shall review all administrative actions."
I believe this would be one of the most powerful parts of a new constitution. It would make government more efficient, at the very least.
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