* 4:39 pm - At last check, the court battle over the wording of the constitutional convention referendum question is still going on. They’ve been at it for three hours. The judge in the case has told both sides he will rule on a motion to dismiss at 4:40 pm this afternoon, so check back.
They’ve gone back and forth on the various issues all afternoon, so there could be more rulings fairly soon if the suit isn’t dismissed.
The plaintiffs (Chicago Bar Association, Lt. Gov. Quinn, etc.) have proposed a remedy that would involve printing a paper ballot that would just have the con-con question on it, in addition to the already printed ballots.
* 5:04 pm - Text message from a reporter friend on the scene…
Cook County judge just ruled the con-con ballot language unconstitutional, and orders a notice of revised language.
* 5:10 pm - More from that same reporter friend on the scene [paraphrased to avoid too many brackets]…
The judge ordered said a paper notice should be handed out at the polls advising voters to ignore the language on the ballot itself. Also, the same polling place notice shall provide voters with the newly revised language. The judge says the same notices should also be mailed to voters.
This seems reasonable, and could actually work in favor of con-con supporters because it provides them a reminder at the polls that the question is on the ballot.
* 5:18 pm - From Pat Quinn’s office…
The judge placed a stay on Cook County from sending out any more absentee ballots. Chicago had already stopped sending out the ballots when they received notice of the case.
The judge also ordered everyone back Friday morning at 9 to discuss language proposals.
* 5:37 pm - So, here’s essentially what happened as far as I can tell…
Local election authorities claimed it was simply too late to print all new ballots in time for the November election, not to mention early voting and the absentee ballots which have already been mailed. So, the judge in the case couldn’t really toss out the existing ballots and order new ones printed.
Instead, the judge ordered said he wanted voters to be given a flier at the polling place which tells them to ignore the ballot question as originally written and instead use the new language on that flier as their guide. The new ballot question language will be decided at a Friday morning court hearing. [Strike was made for a clarification. The plaintiffs have not yet formally accepted this remedy and may ask for a different remedy.]
No word yet on any appeals.
As a reminder, here’s the ballot question language that was tossed out today…
In 1988 the electors rejected the call for a constitutional convention, with 75 percent voting against calling a convention and 25 percent voting in favor of calling a convention.
A judge has ordered Illinois election officials to temporarily stop mailing absentee ballots and create a flyer to hand to voters on Election Day because of “misleading” and “inaccurate” language on the ballot.
Circuit Court Judge Nathaniel R. Howse Junior ruled Wednesday the flyers should explain how the language, which deals with a referendum on a constitutional convention in Illinois, is biased. He ordered lawyers to return Friday to discuss specific ballot changes. [emphasis added]
So, not only are voters to be given a new question at the polling place (and via the mail) and advised to ignore the question on the original ballot, but they are also to be told how the original question is so biased. Interesting.
I’m expecting the judge’s order soon.
* 6:48 pm - From the attorney general’s office, which represented the defense and asked that the case be dismissed today…
We will decide our next step after we review this with our client.
In other words, no decision yet on an appeal.
* Also, Lt. Gov. Quinn and I just had a brief phone conversation (the Sox fan is at Cub Field, so I couldn’t bear speaking with him for long)…
“It went pretty well, I thought… We’re a lot better off right now than we were this morning.”
* And this is from Bruno Behrend and John Bambenek, co-founders of the Illinois Citizens Coalition…
“Today’s ruling in Cook County Court that calls on the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois State Board of Elections to implement revised language into the November ballots – specifically, rewording the question for the Constitutional Convention – is a victory for Illinois voters. As the Illinois Citizens Coalition, we maintain that our primary goal this Fall is to show Illinoisans why it is necessary to open a Constitutional Convention. We have a huge mountain to climb – just today a court of law identified faulty language on the ballot as related to the Con-Con question and conveniently no entity was identified as being responsible for that faulty language. That point alone shows that the foundation in Illinois is broken and that the powers that be are willing to compromise the ability of voters to have a free and fair election. Too few have too many powers and the only way to fix the system is to rebuild its foundation. We sincerely thank Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and the Chicago Bar Association in helping us advance this matter and we look forward to November when Illinois voters vote yes!”
A referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot asking whether Illinois should hold a constitutional convention is “downright misleading and false,” a Cook County judge said today. […]
“I believe the language is not accurate [and] interferes with the rights of voters,” said the judge, who stopped short of ordering a statewide reprint of all ballots that include the so-called “Con-Con” question.
Instead, he ordered lawyers to come up with a new version by Friday morning and offered a suggestion: printing the new question on separate paper that carries an official government seal and distributing that at polling places on election day.
A: I was encouraged. In general, it’s true in politics in India and the United Kingdom that the more conservative party is the one that breaks through key barriers. It took Lincoln to end slavery, it took Nixon to go to China, and hopefully it will be the Republican nominee who becomes the first female vice president.
In an interview of two of the 10th Congressional District candidates conducted by the Tribune editorial board, Kirk would not say whether he believed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, had the necessary qualifications to become president.
“Quite frankly, I don’t know,” said Kirk, 49, of Highland Park, when asked if Palin could step into the job. In answer to repeated inquiries about Palin’s experience, Kirk said, “I would have picked someone different.” [emphasis added]
…Adding… Gov. Palin is getting a lot of criticism for her Katie Couric interview stumbles. But remember this little gem?…
Republican congressional candidate Aaron Schock came to his political senses Tuesday, saying he’d reimburse local taxpayers for the $38,000 they spent providing extra police protection and other city services to President Bush when he appeared at a private fundraiser for Schock back on July 25. […]
Schock’s initial instincts here were dismaying. To suggest the criticism was solely partisan - but not the few defenses, heaven’s no -was disingenuous and self-serving and never held up to scrutiny. There was never any question about whether Peoria should help protect a visiting president - another off-putting attempt at spinning this story - but who should pay for it when there was no public component whatsoever to the trip. Suddenly this bedrock Republican was taking his cue from a liberal Democrat?
Ultimately, this would have amounted to a $38,000 donation to Schock’s campaign from taxpayers given no choice in the matter. Stiffing local taxpayers in this fashion is not the behavior of a true fiscal conservative, as Schock describes himself.
His biggest mistake was waiting so long. Everybody knew he’d have to do it sooner or later.
* Manufacturers slam 5 GOP reps over bailout vote… Five Illinois Republicans who helped defeat the Bush administration’s financial rescue bill are under pressure by the National Assn. of Manufacturers to reverse their votes when Congress reconsiders the issue.
* The GOP Blames the Victim - Capitalism sure is fragile if subprime borrowers can ruin it
* Bailout bill is creating unusual alliances … Republican Mark Kirk, in a tough battle for re-election in the 10th District on the North Shore against Dan Seals, joined ranks with Democratic Chicago Rep. Danny Davis and Rahm Emmanuel in voting in favor of the bailout.
* Candidates for 6th District seat square off: The two candidates for a west suburban congressional seat mixed it up on abortion and ethics Tuesday, with Democrat Jill Morgenthaler accusing her opponent of harboring extreme conservative views and Republican Rep. Peter Roskam highlighting her previous role as a top aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
* Illinois Valley Community College’s Student Government Association will host a political forum for the 11th Congressional District from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the Cultural Centre on the main campus.
* As you are surely aware of by now, Mayor Daley has announced a 99-year lease of Midway Airport for $2.52 billion. But far less than half that will be realized as profit…
The city, which must repay about $1.4 billion of existing debt on the airport, would net about $1.1 billion, which the mayor said would be used for infrastructure projects.
Chicago committed to spending about 90% of the remainder on infrastructure and to help trim its $9 billion unfunded pension liability under state legislation approved in 2005. That leaves about $100 million from the transaction unrestricted. [emphasis added]
Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, N.Y., was operated by UK-based National Express Group, but that lease was sold to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey because it was not generating enough revenue, sources said. British Airports Authority gave up the Indianapolis International Airport lease for the same reason.
But as with previous Daley deals to privatize city parking garages and the Chicago Skyway, costs for the flying public are expected to rise. Transportation experts predicted that Midway’s private operator could charge higher prices for the basics at an airport that is particularly popular with budget-conscious travelers.
* Meanwhile,the city treasurer has these words for residents concerned about the Wall Street gyrations…
Wall Street’s troubles aren’t putting Illinois’ state investments at risk, but the recent economic decline means they will generate less income than in recent years, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias said Tuesday.
“The good news is that our portfolio is safe,” he said. “Is this going to have a huge impact on the state portfolio? That remains to be seen.”
Giannoulias’ office invests about $8 billion in state taxes and fees. It also administers the Illinois Funds, which invest $6 billion on behalf of state agencies, local governments and other taxing entities.
None of that money was put into asset-backed securities or other forms of investing that have taken dives lately, Giannoulias said. But interest income for the current fiscal year still is expected to be half as much as it was a year ago, he said.
Illinois’ riverboat casinos are seeing a dramatic drop in revenue, adding to the state’s money problems and possibly renewing efforts to change Illinois’ smoking ban. […]
While state lottery revenue climbed a little, riverboat casino taxes slumped from $685 million to $564 million in one year — a drop of $121 million, or nearly 18 percent. Lottery revenues topped riverboat money for the first time since 2002. […]
The state numbers show that admissions dropped slightly statewide in fiscal 2008, which ended June 30, down about 2 percent from the year before. But people who are still going to the boats are spending significantly less when they’re there, the figures indicate.
Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, said many gamblers enjoy smoking while playing slots or tables. Now they gamble for a couple of hours, but take breaks to smoke and sometimes don’t return.
St. Louis and Iowa casino revenues are up, while Illinois’ are down. Those two states have no smoking bans.
* There’s an important court hearing today on the General Assembly’s ridiculous inclusion of language in the constitutional amendment referendum reminding voters that the question lost badly twenty years ago…
State officials chose to include that factoid in the ballot question and now the Chicago Bar Association questions its legality while pro-rewrite groups are crying foul, claiming the wording stacks the deck against them. […]
The Chicago Bar Association claims that the explanation on the ballot and several other aspects are unconstitutional and, if not fixed, could result in the entire process having to be done again.
* Here’s the statement which will be presented to voters…
In 1988 the electors rejected the call for a constitutional convention, with 75 percent voting against calling a convention and 25 percent voting in favor of calling a convention.
* The Tribune editorial board, which is so far neutral on the referendum itself, is rightly outraged…
The connivers must have been so proud. So sure no one would notice their mischief. Yes, the Illinois Constitution does give those pesky citizens the right to demand a constitutional convention every 20 years—with the next vote scheduled for the Nov. 4 general election. Could be bad for this state’s arrogant political class in a year when voters are so furious over failed leadership. You can almost hear the insiders who concocted this year’s referendum murmur the secret, sacred words to one another: “Let’s rig the question!”
And they did. Peek inside this fiasco and it’s obvious that the folks who benefit mightily from the way the current constitution distributes power are desperate to keep things just as they are.
This exercise in chicanery is scheduled to get scrutiny Wednesday afternoon from Cook County Circuit Judge Nathaniel Howse Jr. The Chicago Bar Association, among other plaintiffs, is asking him to block what would be a cheesy injustice to the voters of this state. We hope the judge doesn’t let the people who plotted this scheme get away with it. It appears that he can order a correction of ballots—or delay the convention referendum until a subsequent election. There may be other remedies.
(S)tate Senator Dale Righter defends how the referendum is worded. He says the lawyers taking the matter to court are, quote, “looking for something to do.”
* Meanwhile, I told you late yesterday afternoon that Cook County Assessor Houlihan supports the con-con question. From Houlihan’s press release…
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.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I’ve heard reports that Gov. Blagojevich was booed at yesterday’s Cub rally, but this, albeit edited video from the Tribune sure seems to prove the theory that Cub fans will blindly cheer anything that has their litle logo on it, including this hugely unpopular governor.
The Sun-Times makes no mention of booing during this passage in the governor’s speech…
“Sometimes when I’m arguing with the Legislature, I feel like Lou Piniella arguing with the umpires. Some of the times I have to make decisions as governor, I ask myself, ‘What would Lou do?’ Then I make some decisions,'’ Blagojevich said.
Hundreds of school funding protestors are expected to converge outside Wrigley Field today during the Cubs playoff, but they won’t be ringing the stadium as originally planned.
Instead, protestors wearing bright orange t-shirts will be confined to a cordoned-off area in the middle of Addison, near the park entrance, State Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) said Tuesday.
The group’s new position is “a compromise'’ with city officials for agreeing not to surround the perimeter of the stadium with 6,000 protestors, Meeks said.
Fewer protestors will now be needed, but Meeks said he still expects more than the 1,400 who gathered at New Trier Township High Sept. 2 to protest the inequities in Illinois’ school funding system.
The recent dollar-per-ride surcharge has meant reduced tips for drivers, said Prateek Sampat, spokesman for the United Taxidrivers Community Council.
The group plans to present its petitions to city officials Wednesday.
“The surcharge is not even close to covering the needs of drivers,” Sampat said. “It’s not just (the increase in) gas prices. The general cost of living is going up, for things like food.”
The price of gas has jumped by 75 cents a gallon or more at times since the $1 surcharge went into effect April 28.
Local 150 in 2007 was headed by political power broker William Dugan, whose slate won all offices. Dugan retired in June amid an FBI probe. No criminal charges have been filed. Dugan’s successor, James M. Sweeney, said the suit to void the election boils down to “two alleged technical violations” and that the union’s 21,000 members want their leaders to “stand and fight.”
Huh? Sneed is told Cook County Board President Todd Stroger won a silent auction bid this weekend for a front-row seat at a board meeting and lunch with fellow Commissioner Larry Suffredin!
* Democratic congressional candidate Colleen Callahan has a new TV ad that pays homage (to the point where it even seems to have the same voice doing the “countdown”) to LBJ’s “Daisy” ad from the 1964 presidential race…
* Meanwhile, many congressional candidates differed over yesterday’s botched financial systems bailout vote, but Colleen Callahan and Republican Aaron Schock were on the same page…
Both the Democrat and Republican candidates for the 18th District Congressional seat say they would have voted for the bailout bill. […]
“Those questions I did have, have been answered. And as distasteful as this bailout is, I could and would vote for this package,” said Democratic candidate Colleen Callahan.
“Something has to be done. To do nothing in this case, absolutely nothing, would wreak havoc on our economy in this country,” said Republican candidate Aaron Schock.
The horse is out of the barn,” said [Republican Martin Ozinga]. “Instead of them talking about how the door was open, we should be catching the horse.” […]
“The banking crisis is more serious than most people realize,” said Ozinga. “What’s going on is so shocking and complicated it’s hard for people to understand.” […]
[Democrat Debbie Halvorson] said she would have voted “no” on Monday’s bailout plan. The lack of any meaningful protection for homeowners facing foreclosure was one of her key criticisms of the legislation.
“If we want people to pay their mortgages, why are we allowing them to go into foreclosure?” said Halvorson, who said helping homeowners pay their mortgages would prop up the banking industry.
* As I told you yesterday, Democrat Bill Foster voted “Yes.” His GOP opponent, Jim Oberweis, said he would’ve voted against the proposal. From a press release…
“I support the action taken by the House of Representatives this afternoon in rejecting a flawed bailout plan that would have put American taxpayers at risk for $700 billion. Had I been a Member of Congress, I would have voted ‘no.’
“Now that the flawed measure has been rejected, Congress can take the time necessary to strengthen the legislation to improve the odds of its success at solving the problem at hand, while reducing taxpayer risk and improving taxpayer protections. It is important that Congress address this very serious economic crisis that we are facing, but it is equally important that Congress address this situation in a way that will subject taxpayers to the smallest loss possible while doing what is necessary to keep our financial system working in a positive way. We must not sow the seeds of future, equally serious problems by trying to solve this situation too quickly. We must do this right with reasonable speed rather than doing this wrong with great speed.”
* Republican Judy Biggert voted “No,” but her Democratic opponent Scott Harper said he would’ve been a “Yes.” From Harper’s press release…
“With our economy in trouble and with the American people deeply concerned about their homes, their investments and their retirements, Judy Biggert took the coward’s way out and voted against an economic package that would have helped rescue our markets.
“I would have voted yes.
“No one is happy about the current situation we’re in and if Judy Biggert hadn’t been asleep at the wheel on the financial services committee, perhaps we could have had more oversight and regulation and less corporate greed that got us into this mess in the first places.”
I’m more interested today in how you feel about the political tactics of the various incumbents and challengers - without the canned, pre-approved DC political talking points, of course. Let’s all take a deep breath and try to analyze the politics in a clear-headed manner without bringing that DC insanity into the blog. Thanks.
Yesterday, we talked about your use of online social networks. Let’s continue in this technology vein today.
Question: Do you have a basic cell phone or one of those “smart” phones? If you have a smart phone (iPhone, Blackberry, Treo, etc.), which one? Besides calls and texts, how do you use your device during a typical work day? What do you like most and least about your smart phone? Explain fully, please. Thanks.
*** UPDATE *** Inspired by some of the comments today, I’ve decided to give Web-Alerts.com a test run. The service tracks my RSS feed, and then every time a new post is added to this blog Web-Alerts.com sends you a text message.
This is a free, easy-to-use Internet service, but standard text messaging rates from your own carrier apply, of course.
* For whatever reason. the Sun-Times focuses today’s “Daley’s 1,000 layoffs” story on possibly reduced garbage pickups, which if you scroll down in the piece probably won’t happn anywayl.
Here’s the more important item…
The 3,000 vacancies to be eliminated include: 329 sworn Chicago Police officers; 424 non-sworn police employees; 12 sworn firefighters, and 10 non-sworn fire employees.
* The Tribune has been all over the problems associated with the problem of current police vacancies…
With retirements, firings and resignations, the department is down 250 officers and could be down more than 400 officers by the end of the year, said Mark Donahue, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing patrol officers. The department has lost about 375 officers and hired only 125 since the beginning of the year, Donahue said.
* On Saturday the mayor said he was working to hire more Chicago cops.
Apparently, hizzoner’s statement is now inoperative.
* Chicago is facing a $420 million budget hole, but…
The 1,000 layoffs are expected to save $100 million.
A battle is brewing over a request by CTA President Ron Huberman to change his pension status. Huberman is a former Chicago police officer. He has angered other officers with a new application for police pension benefits.
A Chicago police detective who was beaten while off-duty on Chicago’s North Side over a week ago is reacting to the news that the man accused of beating him will not face a more serious charge. […]
Detective Amato and others believe the charges should be more serious because the attack was against a police officer. The police officer’s alleged attacker, 27-year-old John Jasas remains free after attending court last week, where a judge refused to charge him with attacking a police officer. That follows a decision by the state’s attorney’s office to file what is “perceived” as a lesser felony because, they say, Detective Amato was off duty. The veteran cop counters, saying a Chicago police officer is “always” on duty.
Beaten Chicago Police Detective Steve Amato left court feeling assaulted all over again. Not only was the man accused of attacking him not charged with battering a police officer, but the hearing the 18-year police department veteran was told to attend Monday morning took place last week without him or his testimony.
The University of Iowa professor looked at air samples from all over Chicago, and found the chemical in about 90 percent of them. She says the source is a mystery. It looks a lot like a byproduct of paints, but it’s not concentrated near, say, paint factories.
HORNBUCKLE: It’s so ubiquitous that I almost wonder if it’s released from paint after the paint is applied to buildings and streets and walls. I don’t know.
PCBs have been linked to cancer and neurological problems. The government banned manufacture of PCBs, but Hornbuckle says PCB-11 isn’t manufactured. That means the ban may not apply.
Historically, PCB11 is one of 209 compounds manufactured between the late 1920s and the 1970s. The report noted that they were primarily marketed as mixtures called Aroclors by chemical companies until U.S. production ceased in the late 1970s. The distribution of PCB11 throughout residential areas of Chicago suggests that the compound is a past or current component of consumer paint products.
Health Effects related to pcb-11: Birth or developmental effects, Brain and nervous system, Cancer, Endocrine system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies), Persistent and bioaccumulative, Reproduction and fertility
* The Associated Press adds its take to the ever-increasing number of Tony Rezko stories…
Convicted political fixer Antoin “Tony” Rezko has been quietly visiting Chicago’s federal courthouse, setting off speculation that he may be spilling secrets to federal prosecutors in return for a lenient sentence.
Prosecutors investigating Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration would plainly like to hear what Rezko knows, and there is plenty of incentive to talk.
“Jail is horrible and Tony Rezko has just two options,” says Jay Stewart, executive director of the Better Government Association. “One option is to do nothing and get a full sentence. The other is to cooperate with prosecutors.”
* As CBS 2 notes, Rezko’s current residence ain’t pleasant…
Rezko had nothing to say to prosecutors while he was on trial. But all that seems to have changed after six months behind bars in the notorious federal prison in the South Loop.
“It is a dungeon and when you spend night after night in those conditions and face the prospect of doing it for years to come, all of a sudden a light goes off and you may want to cooperate with the federal government,” CBS 2 Legal Analyst Irv Miller said.
Two attorneys said Monday they and other lawyers have been contacted by prosecutors seeking to check information that only Rezko could have told them. Both attorneys spoke only on condition of anonymity, saying prosecutors have sought to keep such matters secret as part of the grand jury investigation.
The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday it had found four lawyers who claimed to have been called by prosecutors with information that seemed to be from Rezko.
“[The reported talks] could break off in a number of points in the process - - at the interview stage because the information isn’t checking out, and after the interviews because each side values the information differently and the two sides can’t reach a deal,” former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins said.
“Mr. Rezko, if they do reach a deal, will receive no get-out-of-jail-free deal because then he’d have no value as a witness,” Collins said. “You can’t put up a witness who got to walk out of jail for a serious crime.”
The polling results I’ve seen from both sides of the debate say more of you will vote for a state constitutional convention this November than won’t.
The numbers still aren’t there yet. The question on the fall ballot must either be supported by 60 percent or by at least half of all those voting in the election itself. Still, it’s getting there.
I’m one of those who supports a constitutional convention. And after 18 years of covering Illinois politics, I am not only convinced a convention is necessary, I also believe I have a duty to tell you why.
Last week, I explained to you how our state constitution has allowed legislative leaders and the governor to seize infinitely more power than the constitution’s framers ever dreamt, and how that power grab is destroying our system of government.
This week, I’d like to toss around a few ideas that a convention might address to break at least some of that stranglehold.
Before I do, always keep in mind that once a convention is called, you have the right to elect all the delegates. When those delegates finish their task, you have the right to vote up or down on all proposed changes. Voters have the final word on everything.
One of the biggest Statehouse problems is that legislative leaders can serve as long as they can get themselves re-elected. I started to notice many moons ago that with every new session I covered, I gained a bit more respect and influence. That happens for pretty much everyone who sticks around. And it’s even more true for leaders, like the House speaker and Senate president, because they have so much institutional power to begin with.
Limiting a leader to 10 years of controlling the gavel would allow the Statehouse a fresh start on a regular basis.
But there is still the almost incomprehensible institutional power that the leaders already own. A new face every decade won’t change that fact.
One of the most refreshing reform suggestions I’ve heard is to require nonpartisan, computerized legislative redistricting.
Our legislative district maps look like they were drawn by crazy people. They’re all over the place, weaving this way and that for miles on end.
In reality, they are carefully constructed by the powers that be every 10 years to protect their favored incumbents.
Voters don’t choose their politicians, politicians actually choose their voters. As a result, only a small handful of incumbents ever have to face a serious opponent, all courtesy of their leaders who carefully draw the district maps.
Iowa’s legislative districts look more like squares. Iowa requires the use of a computer program that completely disregards party and power favoritism. Illinois has far more minority voters than Iowa, which would require more complicated district outlines to make sure a federal judge doesn’t kill it off, but this can be done here. The result? Lots more competition and far less reliance on all-powerful leaders.
Our campaign finance laws allow unlimited contributions by legislative leaders to their favored candidates. The leaders control most of the money raised in this state, so there’s no way those laws will ever change because the leaders also completely control the lawmaking process. A constitutional convention could curtail that fundraising power or eliminate it altogether.
Leaders appoint all committee chairmen, all members of those committees and all bills sent to those committees. This ensures that the chairmen and members always do their leaders’ bidding. Stop that, and you take away a huge amount of power.
Some people favor recall and term limits for all legislators. I’m an agnostic on recall and I’m pretty sure that term limits for legislators in general (not leaders, just legislators) would be a bad idea, but that can all be up for debate if there is a constitutional convention. Others want to give citizens a right to pass laws on their own through ballot initiatives. That could be chaotic, but certainly interesting.
Nothing is guaranteed in life, of course. None of these reforms may come to pass even with a constitutional convention. But none of it will ever happen without one. So, once again, please vote “Yes” this November.
Next week, we’ll take a look at what can be done to rein in the governor’s excessive powers.
As you may know, there will be a referendum question on the November ballot asking if we should hold a convention to overhaul the Illinois Constitution of 1970.
And as you may also know, most of those who are in power and doing fine under the current system are opposed to the idea. Soon, you’ll be subject to a well-funded campaign representing the entire political spectrum telling you what a risky and expensive proposition a so-called con-con would be.
But what you may not know is that even the ballot question itself seems to be part of that campaign. […]
And you may conclude, as I do, that it has only one purpose:
To marginalize the very idea of a con-con by reminding voters how unpopular it was 20 years ago.
*** UPDATE *** A friendly member of the special interest opposition noted that I missed a couple of stories out of Peoria today…
Representatives with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Labor Council of West Central Illinois gathered Monday at Peoria City Hall to voice their disapproval with a referendum they claim will only exacerbate problems in the state.
“We believe it’s inappropriate, unpredictable and expensive,” League President Mary Jane Crowell said.
Two of those very same attributes would apply to our current system.
“The special interest, current political dysfunction in Springfield and party politics may gain control of the delegate election selection process as well as deliberations. So results may be unrepresentative of voters concerns,” said Mary Jane Crowell with the Greater Peoria League of Women Voters.
So, we already know that those three things have a rock-solid grip on our current process, yet the League is currently in, um, league with those very same special interests and masters of political dysfunction and party politics to oppose the con-con. Slightly hypocritical? Surely not! It’s the Leauge of Women Voters, for crying out loud. They are above such associations, except, you know, when they’re not.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Houlihan throws in with the proponents…
Cook County Assessor James Houlihan says he’s decided to urge voters to back a Nov. 4 ballot measure that would, if passed, require the state to convene a constitutional convention, or “con-con.”
Mr. Houlihan says he’s also decided to “bring some money to the table” on behalf of the so-far underfunded pro con-con side. The Cook County Democrat won’t say how much, but it could be substantial, since his political fund had $782,000 in the bank as of June 30, according to a disclosure report filed with the state Board of Elections.
And there are some money problems for the anti’s…
Business groups had pledged to raise $3 million to $5 million to oppose con-con, but amid a sour economy, that effort is lagging, according to a source close to the matter.
I’ve been hearing the same thing for weeks. Organized labor is apparently carrying most of the ball on this one, at least for now.
The state is in the midst of its largest guard deployment since World War II, sending to Afghanistan one in every four citizen soldiers in the Illinois Guard.
Officer Taylor was 39. He had been on the force 14 years. He was, we are told, studious and ambitious, and he loved being a cop. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
Ask any cop and he or she will tell you — Officer Taylor’s widow and daughter are now family for life to the entire Chicago Police Department, kept close to the heart behind every badge. They will be welcomed to every police picnic, embraced at every police ceremony.
But, as they would be the first to add, it will never be enough.
All the kind words and all the warm embraces can never make up for the loss of one living husband, one living father.
While the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune have earned the headlines in the Tribune shakeup, it’s the company’s other dailies, like The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa., and Florida’s Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, that are feeling some of the most significant effects.
Tunney noted that the Daley administration initially wanted the seventh-inning cutoff to apply to all playoff games, not just potential title clinchers. They also wanted to implement it without notice when the Cubs clinched the Central Division championship.
“At the beginning, they didn’t want to do anything [to compromise. But], we listened. We’re all interested in the same goal,” he said.
