For too long, the people of Cook County have endured a property tax system that is unfair. And for too long, the people of Illinois have struggled to make sense of a school funding system that, in fact, makes no sense. The time has come to re-think these issues — and others that are vital to the future of our state. The time has come for change.

A fair tax system and a quality education are the cornerstones of a democratic society. I believe they are constitutional rights and require review at the constitutional level, not just at the legislative level. Now more than ever, these issues need fresh perspectives.

“That is why I am supporting a new constitutional convention for Illinois – and urging voters to vote “yes” on the constitutional convention question that will appear on their ballots Nov. 4.

Because constitutional issues are so important, our state requires voters to decide every 20 years if a convention should be held. I believe the time has come to have one – to revisit and redraft our governing document.

Everyone knows the system in Springfield is broken. Our current leaders posture and provoke but have little time to get things done. The result is a stalemate, legislative paralysis, and inaction on vital issues.

But the problem goes beyond personalities. There are certain issues – our over-reliance on property taxes to fund education, for one – that have been intractable for years and need to be addressed at the constitutional level. Property taxes and education funding are reasons enough to call a constitutional convention.

No parents would discriminate among their children the way we collectively treat the children of Illinois, spending five and a half times more to educate some than others. Today, Illinois ranks near the bottom in state contributions to the overall cost of education. We have tinkered with the system. It is time to change our overall approach.

We approach educational funding backwards. We need to find a way for the state to pay a majority of school expenses that are now supported by local school levies, and make education resources more equal across the state, while preserving local control.

Our property tax system is broken. Downstate, farm land is overburdened and has been devalued. Education suffers. In Cook County, we pit businesses against homeowners, and education suffers. Throughout Illinois, we lose jobs and companies to neighboring states. The economy slumps and education suffers.

The supporters of a constitutional convention might not, and indeed do not, agree on everything. But we possess a core belief that the people of Illinois are capable of governing themselves – which is the essence of democracy.

Opponents of the convention talk out of both sides of their mouths. On the one hand, they want you to be afraid it will be hijacked by out-of-touch, irresponsible extremists. On the other hand, they say it would be controlled by the same powerful leaders who run things now. But the reality is, the 1969-1970 convention launched a new generation of political leaders, reviving the state’s political culture with an influx of new, fresh, young talent.

Reasoned opponents agree that education funding is a constitutional issue, but argue that a constitutional convention would be a disaster. But Illinois has had four different constitutions in its history. With each new constitution, the state has flourished.

To those people and groups who oppose a constitutional convention, I pose a few simple questions: What are you afraid of? Why does democracy terrify you? What is it about a fresh constitutional convention that frightens you? As Thomas Jefferson said, “We are a people capable of self-government, and worthy of it.”

Let us put our confidence in the people of Illinois and support this call for a constitutional convention.