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Join
the Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution
We’re now in the dog days of
summer, but with less than 90 days to the November election many political
developments will evolve in the next few weeks and months. While we’re in a
lull between special sessions at the Capitol and and national party
conventions to occur before candidate campaigns pick up activity, I’d like to
remind you about an important issue that will be on the ballot, a constitutional
convention.
For the past four decades, Illinois has enjoyed one of the most
forward-thinking and citizen-friendly state constitutions in America. Every
20 years, voters are asked whether a constitutional convention is needed to
rewrite that document. The question will once again be on the ballot in
November 2008. As they did in 1988, Illinois voters need to reject this
costly and incendiary proposal.
The Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution is a broad-based,
non-partisan coalition formed by respected consumer, education, good
government, legal, business and labor organizations to ask voters to
safeguard the constitution by voting “no” on the November referendum about
holding a state convention to re-write our constitution.
There are many reasons to vote “no” on a constitutional convention
referendum.
- The total cost of a
convention is predicted to approach $100 million at a time when the
State is running budget deficits and having a tough time funding schools
and roads.
- Illinois does not have a
constitutional crisis. It has a leadership crisis. It’s the politicians,
not the constitution, who are affecting Illinois’ current dysfunctional
government. The best way to deal with political issues and address
problems in state government is to pick new elected officials and
leaders, not tinker with a proven document full of protections for
people’s rights.
- The same legislature and
governor we have now will be involved in how delegates are elected, how
they will be compensated and how a convention is structured should there
be a convention. There is no way to predict how long a new
constitutional convention might meet. It is probable the General
Assembly and constitutional convention delegates will be meeting
simultaneously. Nothing keeps current members of the General Assembly to
run for seats as delegates or have surrogates run so that they can
protect their turf. So, if approved we can expect a convention with more
of the same bickering and deadlock we have now in Springfield.
- Scheduling a convention for
2010 would give politicians a pass to do nothing until then to address
the state’s problems. There will be primary and general elections
between now and the time a new constitution would even go into effect.
- Illinois can’t afford more
discord and distractions. There are too many crucial everyday concerns
that need attention to get stuck on a long, divisive debate on such
issues and opening the constitution to controversial issues one way or
the other.
- Of particular concern to
business interests is the threat of importing California-style ballot
initiatives to Illinois lawmaking and removing the 8 to 5 income tax
ratio that has assured corporate taxpayers of protection from unilateral
tax increases each time the state has encountered a budget shortfall,
which has been almost an annual occurrence.
I
hope you agree the Illinois Constitution is not what needs to be fixed in
Illinois and will choose to support APIC. Please join the Alliance to
Protect the Illinois Constitution by filling out this
form and faxing it to APIC at 312.255.3030.
Of course, such an important effort needs resources to succeed. I encourage
you to back up your support for the campaign to defend the constitution with
a financial contribution. Checks should be made payable to "The Alliance
to Protect the Illinois Constitution", 200 E. Randolph St. - 22nd Fl.,
Chicago, IL 60601. More information on contributions is available
here.
Local and regional chambers, I urge you to consider adopting a position
against the Con-Con, as the Illinois Chamber Board of Directors did last December.
A copy of the Chamber’s Policy Statement may be found at ilchamber.org.
For more information, visit APIC’s web site at protectillinoisconstitution.org.
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