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A
new Constitutional Convention is a pending issue. We encourage every
member to read this message and provide feedback.
The
2008 general election could prove to be a historic turning point,
both for a nation selecting a new president and for citizens of
Illinois weighing in on the fate of the state’s constitution. Next
November marks the first time in 20 years Illinois voters will be
presented with a referendum to test their continued faith in the
state’s 37-year-old constitution. Many issues likely to swirl around
the appeal of a constitutional convention (or Con-Con) have been
central to some of Illinois’ most controversial and heated political
debates of the last 40 years. The last time Illinois voters
considered whether the state needed to take a fresh look at its
constitution was 1988. The Con-Con proposition was soundly rejected
that year by a three-to-one margin.
The 1970 Illinois
Constitution requires the citizens of Illinois be given the
opportunity to vote on whether the state should convene a
Constitutional Convention every 20 years. While a convention does
not automatically imply a complete rewrite of the state’s
constitution, it does open the door towards revision. If a majority
of voters approve a Constitutional Convention in the 2008 election,
Illinois would begin a lengthy dialogue on ways the state’s
constitution may be amended. Any amendments or revisions proposed by
a convention would be presented to voters in a special ballot,
presumably in 2010.
When Illinois last considered a
Constitutional Convention, the Illinois Chamber opposed the idea,
believing the existing constitution provided a sound legal base. The
business community stood up to an early groundswell of support for a
Constitutional Convention to argue that such hot issues as tax
reform and education funding did not warrant a constitutional
rewrite, but were best left to the legislative and executive
branches to resolve. In the end, opposition to a Constitutional
Convention all but deflated initial support.
Illinois’
political turbulence in 1988 arguably never reached that of today,
which creates an entirely different dynamic for the November 2008
election. The past year has seen a power struggle between the
legislative and executive branches of epic proportions, resulting in
the longest legislative session in Illinois’ modern history. The
Governor has pushed his constitutional authority to the limits and
has even sued the House Speaker for what he claims to be
constitutional breaches of his authority.
The harsh
political rhetoric and what many perceive to be a dysfunctional
government in recent years may have fueled enough frustration to
create a real possibility of voters supporting a Constitutional
Convention. Thus, it is important for the Illinois Chamber to learn
members’ opinions as we prepare to make the voice of the business
community heard.
While the Chamber has not formally weighed
in on the 2008 Con-Con debate, the Chamber’s Board has the issue on
the agenda for its December meeting. The board’s decision to take a
position on a Constitution Convention will be shaped by the issues
and opinions – both positive and negative – members bring forward.
The Illinois Chamber will devise an action plan based on
member feedback and Board direction and communicate that to the
members, local chambers, and other business organizations.
You will find a more in-depth overview of the process by
which a Con-Con is convened, as well as an outline of important
issues I believe would be up for consideration, on the Illinois
Chamber website. I encourage you to review the document and
provide us your thoughts and opinions. Specifically, tell us what
issues are of most concern to you and state directly whether you
believe the Illinois Chamber should support or oppose the call for a
Con-Con. Your feedback is important to ensuring the Chamber’s voice
articulates the concerns of Illinois employers and taxpayers.
There will undoubtedly be increasing attention to this
subject in the ensuing months. We will keep the Illinois Chamber web
site updated with the latest Con-Con related information.
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