Illinois Voters Must Pick Their Medicine

by Thom M. Serafin

www.serafin.com

In November 2008, Illinois voters will make major decisions by voting for a President, a Senator, and whether to assemble a convention to create a new constitution for Illinois.  When it comes to real impact on our day-to-day lives, no decision may be more important than the vote to seek a new state constitution.

My public affairs firm has represented Republicans, Democrats, Labor, Business, Associations, and many Non Profits in this great state for the better part of the past three decades. We also have been involved in many high profile issue campaigns. I make a living in this very fluid and complicated world of public affairs so this is difficult for me to admit, but I think the democratic process in Illinois is breaking down. Springfield’s endless and unacceptable stalemate on budget issues, education, and taxes is undeniable—and frustrating, especially for the many in real need.

Added to the list of grievances is a state plagued by media revelations of “pay to play” abuses and controversial pay raises for legislators, who, according to many have done little to address the pressing issues facing Illinois. Recently those same legislators denied voters the right to recall public officials who don’t perform their “constitutional” duties. Nobody, then, should be surprised when in November voters express their frustration at the polls.

However frustrated they may be, voters face a tough decision in November as to which choice will best restore leadership and accountability in their state government. A referendum asking voters whether we need a new constitution will be on the ballot and many will vote yes, principally out of frustration with the current -very public- paralysis in Springfield.

This situation is not without precedence. In 1968, voters agreed to a Constitutional Convention that cost taxpayers around $14 million - in 1970 dollars. Voters also elected convention delegates to decide how the new constitution would be drafted and what provisions it would include.

Illinois continues to operate under this constitution. A provision of the 1970 constitution requires a ballot referendum every 20 years, giving voters the authority to call for another Constitutional Convention. In 1988, voters rejected the call for a new constitution by a 3-1 margin.

There are good arguments on both sides of this vote. Independent minded Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn and others argue that a new constitutional convention is needed to overcome the lack of leadership in state government. Quinn supports the call for a Constitutional Convention to address what he considers inadequate and unfair systems for school funding, a flat state income tax rate and government ethics. According to Quinn, “The whole idea of a Constitutional Convention is to make the voters stronger.”

Proponents also argue that the risks -- opening Pandora’s Box to single issue advocates and other mischief – are outweighed by the need for citizens to reassert their control of a democratically elected state government.

Others who favor a Constitutional Convention claim it would not be “rolling the dice” with the state’s future.  They argue that revising the constitution is not merely a knee jerk response to current crises or anger at the Governor and key legislators but instead a deliberate procedure requiring approval of the convention and the selection of delegates followed by voter referendums on proposed constitutional amendments. This very involved process could take anywhere from two to four years, assuming there are no lawsuits.

Well-respected former state Senator Dawn Clark Netsch argues that there are no constitutional barriers to resolving the issues that have plagued Illinois for the past few years. The only thing missing is leadership. Sen. Netsch participated in the last Constitutional Convention in 1970 with current Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, and believes Illinois must elect better leaders to solve its government problems.

Illinois’ business and labor leaders, who are deeply frustrated by current legislative stalemates, make the case that our current constitution is not to blame.  A recent study by the Business Roundtable, which traces constitutional changes in Illinois from the days of Lincoln and Douglas (where are their modern counterparts?), points out that the 1970 constitution has an amendment process that enables voters to make major changes. However, this process has been used very conservatively. 

If the needed changes are going to be made, now is the time for citizens who demand better state government to step up, organize, and educate themselves on the legislative process and those who run it.

This November, voters will either decide to approve a Constitutional Convention or continue the course of seeking change through the amendment process and the election of better leaders.

In the words of Lincoln, can we achieve a government "of the people, by the people and for the people?” It is up to the citizens of Illinois to choose the best way to make our political leaders accountable.