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Question of the day

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Illinois

This is adapted from a question suggested in yesterday’s QOTD:

How would you clean up Illinois politics? Specifics, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 9:23 am

Comments

One term in the state legislature and you’re out. The only state office one can run in after that one term in the legislature is Attorney General, Secretary of State or Governor.

Add to that a penalty for corruption equal to three times that of the private sector.

The first would eleminate career politicians and the second would control the legitimate bureaucracy by making the risk of corruption “just too high to risk.”

Comment by blue Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 9:38 am
I have long believed that we need to introduce Greek-style ostracism to Illinois.

From Wikipedia:

Ostracism was a procedure under the Athenian democracy in which a prominent citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years. While some instances clearly expressed popular anger at the victim, ostracism was often used pre-emptively. It was used as a way of defusing a major confrontations between rival politicians (by removing one of them from the scene), neutralising someone thought to be a threat to the state, or exiling a potential tyrant. Crucially, ostracism had no relation to the processes of justice. There was no charge or defence, and the exile was not in fact a penalty; it was simply a command from the Athenian people that one of their member be gone for ten years.

The only question is if ten years is long enough.

Comment by So-Called "Austin Mayor" Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 9:39 am
Minimum penalties for any wrong-doing while in public office 2, 3 or 4x greater than in private sector. Restitution [if applicable] x10 and ANY conviction stemming from abuse or illegal activity during public office means revocation of ANY claim of pension… includes forfeit of any % paid in by the defendant: excluded would be minor traffic charges, minor ordinance violations, barking dogs, etc. So WHO are we expecting to vote for this?

Comment by North of I-80 Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 9:56 am
we randomly draw names out of a hat of all registered voters in the state. We do this every 2 years for all legislative and constitutional offices. No one can serve more than once.

Comment by How bought this Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:04 am
Seriously, if we put term limits on the GA and constitutional officers, then the power brokers become… what? My first guess would be the party central committees that vet and arrange slates of candidates and plan out a “line of succession”. I think more highly of term limits every day this bunch is in power, but I don’t want to trade representational democracy for some more arcane and hidden process either. Hey, these things have been pondered since Plato’s time, I’m not sure there IS a good answer. But with a constitutional convention not too far off, a dialog should begin now.

The other thing to do is short-circuit the money-media access treadmill we’ve put our politicians on. TV & radio spots are expensive, but are the thing they use most to communicate with. Pass a law that the stations can’t charge for campaign spots, and every candidate gets the same limited number of them. Or, If all candidates in the state had their ads paid for out of a pool of shared money, and could not buy their ads, the election process could be turned from the fund-raising contest between millionaires it is now into a real political dialog. The selling of no-bid insoder contracts and trading donations for jobs comes from what the mony is then used for: campaigning. Take away the demand, you kill off the supply.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:19 am
as the lawyer for rutan v republican party put it, a very large settlement to someone.until than we will get more of the same. right now no fear is the the way of doing business!
no ethics rules no new legislation changes will change the way business is conducted in this state. money runs everything and is the key to it all, If you want to know anything follow the money!(ROD)

Comment by pike Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:22 am
My ideas for reform call for magic.

If I had a magic wand, I would cut back the size of the many examples of bloated agencies in state/county/city government, while making performance goals more transparent for the public to evaluate. If there were fewer employees (and fewer slots to fill with pals), there would be more need for the agency employees to work harder/better to actually get their work done. There would also be fewer mid-level decision-makers to try to cozy up to. So long as we tolerate the super-size-me approach to government, we will always have problems with inefficiencies and dishonesty.

I would also use the magic wand to make all executives at government agencies understand the notion that they serve a public trust. Many in government can take a lesson from a 9-year-old who has been asked to watch the neighbor’s dog while they’re on vacation: a kid understands that its not their dog, but its their job to take care of it on behalf of someone else, to the best of their ability.

Comment by TomD Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:25 am
Start with the Chicago Board of elections.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:32 am
Pass a new law: The proposed state budget document must be published for a minimum of 30 days prior to a vote by the General Assembly.

Comment by one of the 35 Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:34 am
1. Use corporate chartering laws to bar political campaign contributions from corporations; research other statutory or constitutional measures to get around the barrier imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Buckley v. Valeo and other rulings.

2. Impose campaign contribution limits of $1,000 per candidate per campaign.

3. Clean up and insulate the Department of Recruitment and Selection, which is supposed to be making the hiring and promotion recommendations for all Rutan employees, on the basis of merit, by ensuring that it is staffed with non-connected, and competent, interviewers. As an attorney who has represented victims of illegal job patronage, I could share some horror stories with you — such as the interviewer who was selecting a stationary engineer position and thought that one applicant’s experience operating a backhoe was more relevant than another applicant’s four years’ experience operating a boiler! Of course, the former just happened to be a Democratic Party precinct committeeman. Go figure.

4. On the federal level we need to be fighting to reinstate the Equal Time provisions and the Fairness Doctrine that used to be part of the Communications Act. The public airwaves belong to the people. Broadcasting is a privilege; the quid pro quo for licensing ought to be to require broadcasters to commit time slots on a free and equal basis to all candidates for public office — so that they don’t have to come up with millions of dollars just to get their message out, which in turn drives them to prostitute themselves to wealthy corporate sponsors.

5. Move toward a more pluralistic democracy by repealing our unfair and unequal ballot access laws, reinstating proportional representation, and enacting instant runoff voting.

6. Elect a candidate for Governor, and candidates for other state offices, who refuse corporate campaign contributions as a matter of principle, like, say, from the Green Party.

Okay, the last recommendation was admittedly self-serving, but it is still a good idea — and part of my answer.

Rich Whitney,
Green Party candidate for Governor
www.whitneyforgov.org

Comment by Rich Whitney Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:38 am
1. The ideal, which can not be reached, unfortunately will be to lower the petition for being on the ballot to 50 in each concerned County for legislative, executive and judicial offices at the state level; 25 for township, municipality, school board and other elections.

Primary elections to start would have three slates — Democrat, Republican; independent. Any third parties receiving more than 5% of the total vote would have a separate primary in each election until their vote dropped below 5%

If there are more than three nominees for any party for any office, a second primary with the top three would be required

This would result in a coalescing of views by the leading parties.

2. Primaries would be held on July 1, September 1 (if necessary) with an election the first Sunday in November. Political advertising before the final primary would be forbidden. Media would receive tax credits for airing third party and independent material. Violators would be fined twice the full cost of their advertising. Fines would be collected and allocated to third parties and independents.

3. All general elections, all ballot questions would be on the November date.

4. The term of office, staggered, would be six years for the lower house, eight years for the upper house. Elections would occur in even numbred years. Recall would be permitted.

5. The executive offices would have a four year term. They would be elected during the odd years. Two consecutive terms would be permitted. There is one exception. The Attorney General would be elected to an eight year term in even numbered years.

Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:40 am
Limit contributions from individuals (other than the candidates themselves) and corporations to $250 per calendar year. Oh, and eliminate township government.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:42 am
Blue suggested: “One term in the state legislature and youâ€™re out. The only state office one can run in after that one term in the legislature is Attorney General, Secretary of State or Governor.”

The states which have term limits (granted, not as draconian as what Blue suggests) have found that this results in the lobbyists running the show by virtue of their longevity, and the fact they know a new legislator will come through the doors in a few months anyway.

Such a system, while it sounds good on paper, makes matters 10x worse in practice.

—

How bought this proposes: “we randomly draw names out of a hat of all registered voters in the state. We do this every 2 years for all legislative and constitutional offices. No one can serve more than once.”

Now that’s an intriguing idea, albeit right out of science fiction a la Kim Stanley Robinson’s ‘Mars’ trilogy.

—

My thoughts…
- Limit contributions to a smaller than reasonable amount. Work around the recent SCOTUS rulings to determine a way to set the limits around $50 or $100.
- Eliminate PAC and business funding. Donations from individuals only please.
- Work out a formula, again if allowed by jurisprudence, such that X% of donations must be from in-district, and Y% from out of district is allowed (where X is greater than Y)
- Non-partisan district mapping please (heck, that’s what computers are for, with a non-partisan committee of humans to review and double-check the computer’s work)

Comment by NW burbs Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:47 am
Glad the Mayor of Austin is back and hittin’ ‘em into the cheap seats! Banishment is a great concept, but whose doing the banishing? The Tribune Editorial Board always wants first dibs.

Throw out the Ward Heelers!
Introduce PACs.
Don’t like PACs?
Throw out the PACs
Get some OGA IGA Agencies.
That’s Reform.
Throw Ryan in Jail.
Make Room for some more tenants.
That’s Reform.
Call in The Feds.

A dog chasing its own tail.
That’s Reform, boys and girls.

Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:52 am
Term limits for state officials (statewides, as well as State Reps and Senators) would be the easiest way to achieve fundamental reform. That’s how you break the cycle of institutionalized corruption.

NW Burbs is just blowing smoke out his butt. He pretends to refer to some real study of other states where it didn’t work. It’s nonsense. All the empirical evidence is it DOES work. It’s not a magic bullet, but it does help.

News flash NW Burbs, lobbyists have too much influence NOW. And that comes from the long time relationships they build from only having to buy off a tiny number of officials - the ranks of whom rarely change.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:58 am
1. Limits on length legislative leaders can remain in power (10 year limit)

2. Campaign spending limits on leadership PACS and their ability to dump $100,000 chunks into targeted legislators’ races.

3. Cut the pensions for legislators by at least 35% to put them in line with average, working Illinoisans

4. Contracts should be awarded by an indepedent agency, not by the incumbent officeholders or constitutional officers.

5. There should be rotating State Capitol sessions throughout Illinois, not just in Spfld.

6. Capitol Fax should be required reading for all high school students so they get a balance in their civics text books.

Comment by values matter Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:59 am
A lottery to see who will serve, no elections
make all ethical lapses criminal offenses

Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:02 am
This question may be moot, because it looks like the U.S Attorney’s office is not only trying to remove corruption from politics in Illinois, but they are also trying to remove politics from politics in Illinois.

Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:16 am
values matter:

civics textbooks? teaching rights and duties? boy, are you dating yourself. Gone forever.

Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:21 am
Truthful James is on the right track. We need to do everything possible to negate the “power of incumbancy”, make it as easy as possible for “citizen-politicians” to be slated and elected, and make it simple to have alternate party and independent candidates on the ballot.

The fact is, this state would be run far better if a random selection of people attending school and municipal board and council meetings were put in the general assembly.

How do we even the playing field?

First, as Truthful James stated, petitions should require a nominal number of signatures for a candidate to be placed on a ballot.

When I ran for a school board in a district with a $120 million budget and over 100,000 registered voters, I only needed 150 signatures to meet the minimum 50 “good” signature requirement.

A state senator in the GOP or Dem party would need at least 2,000 signatures to meet the 1,000 minimum, and a State Rep 1200 for a similar sized constituency. Requiring a couple hundred signatures for those posts, for either Dem, Repub, other party or independent candidates, makes sense.

The next issue is how the cost of campaigninig can be reduced so that a candidate doesn’t have to sell his soul to the special interests to avoid bankrupcy if he loses.

The lions share of campaign costs are media access (TV, print, cable and radio). Licensed media, such as TV, Cable and radio, should provide free and equal time for candidates and PSAs for all candidates to briefly identify their platforms in a number of 30 second spots. This is best on cable, since the GA media buys on major stations are very cost inefficient.

The state (or Feds, if it can be arranged) should allow each candidate to have one mailing to every registered voter in the district. A web site should be maintained for MPEG downloads of candidate debates, and 3 minute statement of platform.

Contributions shouldn’t be regulated. If media buys are prohibited, media access provided without cost, and voter mailings are limited to one with postage primarily paid by the state or PO, it won’t take a quarter million bucks to run for the GA as it does now.

After the primary, a run off bewteen the two highest vote getters should be held to prevent tyranny of the minority.

Mostly Dem and GOP pols will still be elected, but there just may be enough “great dissenters” sent to Springfield top do public service rather than self service.

Dollars and personal gain, not ideology, run Illinois state politics. Minimize opportunities for sell out politicians to gain those, and corruption will also be minimized.

If elected to the GA, office holders should be prohibited from being paid consultants, holding government jobs, getting government contracts, or being lobbyists for the government to which they were elected.

This will help weed out the self serving and make office holding the hardship the founders originally intended it to be.

Comment by PalosParkBob Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:29 am
campaign finance reform.

Comment by moderate - half way between crazy and crazy. Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:32 am
1) One term limits for political offices
2) Increased severity of punishment for betrayal of the public trust by elected or appointed officials
3) No relatives of public officials are allowed to hold public office or paticipate in the local, state, and federal contracts in order to avoid the appearance of improprieties occurring while their relative is in office
4)Federal and state pensions are forfeit by public officials if convicted of any felony while in public office
4) State and federal officials are required to participate in the US social security program like the rest of us are.
5) Lobbiests are prevented from giving “any” gifts to public officials
6)All state and local financial matters are to be openly and fully disclosed to the public. There will be no longer be any closed door executive sessions when financial matters are to be discussed or decided upon. Only complete and total public disclosure will take place from now on.

Comment by Beowulf Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:56 am
Bob,
You don’t stand a chance,dude!

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 12:01 pm
C’mon, Bill, stick to the question and drop the insults.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 12:04 pm
Ok sorry!

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 12:12 pm
Donation limits, spending limits, term limits, zero-base budgeting.

Cap donations at $1,000 per person or $2,000 per household, cap campaign spending with inflation adjustments, limit all Constitutional office holders to 2 terms and legislators to four in the House and two in the Senate.

It’s a bad idea to limit it to one term. It takes one term just to figure out what you are doing in Springfield (of course some people never figure it out).

ZBB– make the agencies justify the money they are already getting, not just the new money coming in. These people need to learn what a real “budget cut” is. That’ll give some empowerment to eliminate some of the bureaucratic fiefdoms that support corruption and incompetence.

Comment by HoosierDaddy Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 12:57 pm
Amend the election code to provide that any party found to have filed a frivolous petition challenge is responsible for the other side’s costs, plus a punative fine.

Comment by Phocion Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 12:57 pm
Let’s see Mike Madigan has been a legislator since 1971. Emil Jones since 1973. Frank Watson since 1979 and new comer Tom Cross since 1993. Yeah, I can see term limits passing in Illinois real soon.

Comment by WTF! Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 1:00 pm
Perhaps the awareness is on the voter. We want everything done for us. Perhaps it is our responsibility to know who and why we are voting for a person. We must take personal responsibility before we cast the vote. As far as corruption goes as long as we (the voter) think it is okay to cheat on our taxes, lie and steal, speed in violation of traffic laws, then how can we not expect the politican not to mirror our own behavior. Morality is what will stop the crook, public disgust and rejection of those that cheat, lie and steal. Total rejection by society of those caught. However we must first look at ourselves an correct ourselves before demanding better of those we elect. When we point a finger in judgement three point back.

Comment by The Conservative Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 1:19 pm
Anybody care about freedom anymore? You want to limit people’s freedom by not letting them serve more than one term and not let them donate how much they want to! If I want to give my money to Topinka or Blagojevich, I should be able to give as much as I want to!!! I have found one item here I agree with… and most of it is rather self-serving.

The most comprehensive reform we have are called elections. You need to elect people that are honest, thoughtful, and really went to help the district/state/country. Responsibility of corruption begins with the people.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 1:28 pm
Beowulf - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:56 am said:

“5) Lobbiests are prevented from giving â€œanyâ€ gifts to public officials/”

Define “gifts.” Does this include the ball point pen the little old ladies from AARP drop on legislator’s desks during the Session?

If its “no gifts” from lobbyists it should be no gifts from everyone. That includes the little box lunches from the Future Farmers of America kids, the corkscrews from the Illinois wineries and the tension squeeze ball things from the mental health folks.

Thank God! Now we are safe from all special interest groups from trying to “bribe” our legislators with items costing 72 cents to make.

The only “gifts” that would be left are the
$ million plus projects that the Governor and the legislative leaders hand out to pacify the rank and file members of the General Assembly in order to pass its $46 billion budget

Comment by Anonymous-N-Spfld Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 1:31 pm
Lovie, I don’t think you as a person should be limited in how much you care to donate, as I do believe that’s a form of protected speech.

I myself object to the artificial persons known as corporations having the same ability. And if you ban corporations, then I suppose you’d have to ban other artificial constructs like unions or PAC’s, though their members could make direct individual contributions all they wanted. I’m pro union, but if we could level the palying field all around, I’d approve the above. Get it back to individuals and real people making the contributions. Makes it much harder to buy a politician while you can still support one as you see fit.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 1:58 pm
Clean up Illinois politics/USA politics the solution is the people. The sheepeople have to wake up out of their coma and pay attention to what politicians are saying and doing and keep them in check! Politicians have been allowed to go about their business as usual for so long that they obviously don’t see anything wrong with what they are doing, because we the people do not pay attention! Like a line from a bad Eddie Murphy movie “Vote for the one you know!” that is how the majority of voters think when they go to the polls. It is so much nicer when others think for us!!!???
Without sounding like a 1970’s yippie the way to clean up politics is for the people to wake up and quit expecting some 70 old wealthy politician to make good decisions for us! We are the ones that are supposed to be in charge! Read this and weep!

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm

Comment by angry and outraged Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:39 pm
Conservative,

Voter awareness is irrelevant if there are no clear choices between politicians on the ballot, if the Dems and GOP even allow competing names on a ballot for an office.

This year’s Governor’s race is a great example. We have a choice between a corrupt, money pandering incumbent and a challenger so far to the left of her party on all issues from abortion to increasing taxes that less than half the voters in her party can fully support her.

The more “aware” the voters are, the less likely they’ll be to vote in November, because there are no candidates in line with what mainstrem voters want done in Springfield.

The key is to break up the monopoly of the Republicrats in Illinois who limit candidate choices for voters.

I’m convinced that reform is impossible through the existing parties. There’s too much money going into too many pockets for them to want to rock the boat in either party.

If the apples in the barrel are rotten, your only choice is to go directly to the tree. You’ve got to find candidates who just want to clean up the mess and get the heck out of Springfield. They’re out there, and many are so disgusted with both parties that they’re starting to step forward as “outlaws” in their parties. That’s why petition requirements and independent roadbloacks were increased by the GA last year.

The best hope for change is for “renegades” like Meeks leading a faction that can get the laws changed to create competition to the Dem and GOP stranglehold.

Dem factionalization and Republican impotence may create an opportunity to do this in the near future.

The Kjellander/Ryan/Topinka wing of the GOP has pretty much dissolved the conservative Republican base, and we’re looking for somewhere else to go.

The Stroger debacle in Cook has alienated so many “middle of the road” Dems that they’re looking for other political alternatives.

These Dems and Republicans have a lot in common. They want prudent use of tax dollars, an end to corruption, legislators and a Guv who’ll put their interests before the contractors, cronies, unions, and lawyers who currently own Springfield. They want value for the government and educational services they’re receiving commensurate with the cost.

They want the legislators to be straight with them, give them all sides of the argument, and come up with the best solutions ot the state’s problems.

No one of whom I’m aware in either party is doing that now, and both parties work very hard to keep such people out of the mix.

A party that could serve this middle majority of the parties is the only way this mess can be cleaned up, IMHO.

Comment by PalosParkBob Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:55 pm
Fix the cutback amendment by returning to multiple member districts, which would constrain both partisanship and omnipotent leaders by electing more moderates interested in (and capable of) in getting things done. OK, Pat, no need to go ballistic — I’m fine with the SIZE of the GA, just not the electoral method. Let’s make 132 reps elected from 44 senate districts — at 176 members, a reduction by 1 in the total # of legislators but a restoration of balance in public debate.

Comment by Pat Quinn's evil twin Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:02 pm
a. special elections to fill any vacancies on the ballot that occur more than six weeks out from the election.

b. allow people who’ve contested the most recent primary to run in said special elections

Comment by bored now Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:06 pm
Palos Park Bob–

which is why I want to load the ballot. I believe that is the best way to realign the parties. Money is the glue that binds together each party. The internet may develop into a power for reform as it promotes the freedom of ideas. Unfortunately this vehicle is under attack by powerful utility companies which want to use the airways fdor monopoly profits.

Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:07 pm
PalosParkBob-do you really think that we are living in a 2 party system? After working in a state agency for awhile I realized there is no such thing as a 2 party system. Maybe the solution is the people don’t vote for anyone, because no one is good enough, but that would re

Comment by angry and outraged Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:19 pm
Palos Park Bob: This is a long term job. I am one such rebel and have been for many years within the party. I work within the organization where I can and help those that are of the same view, and work against those that are not. If there is a candidate in the General that I cannot support I do not, I work on someone else that I can support. This is a slow process. I do not believe in working to destroy the party as there are more each day that are joining the fight. The key still remains, if you change the heart you capture the mind. Already the true Christians are becoming involved more and more. This does not bode well for the crook and back room politician. The heart mind and sole are the key. However we must have a strong backbone ourselves and not bend for the sake of winning.

Comment by The Conservative Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:22 pm
require thought on the part of the voters! As I said before we are the power, we need to take control; if we look weak we get what we deserve; if we look strong we get what we want!

Comment by angry and outraged Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:26 pm
PalosParkBob is on the money. We need to see the rise of a moderate third party that actually cares about what the middle ground cares about. The Dems and GOPs only care about the narrow-minded positions at the extremes of their bases and maintaining their monopoly on power, not the average person who wants an efficient government for their hard-earned tax dollars.

So my answer is make it easier for alternative candidates to get on the ballot and ensure them a place in every debate. Also require the media to cover these debates so that the voters have the opportunity to actually hear what each candidate stands for.

Of course, getting the average potential voter to actually pay attention is another matter.

Comment by Bluefish Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:53 pm
Gregor, I am against stopping unions, businesses, PACs, etc from contributing how much they want to. If all sides tried to get money from unions, businesses, PACs, etc that would level the playing field. If a third party is entering the political arena, the first thing they need to do is get support from these entities. If they can’t, they can’t. Maybe deregulation is the answer….

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:12 pm
Elminate party primaries. Move to non-partisan elections. Majority is required to win. If no majortiy winner in round 1, then a run-off is held.

Comment by Niles Township Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:21 pm
A major but unnoticed or ignored part of my recommendation dealt with the foreshortening of campaigns. The long (some would say enervating) campaign periods require ever more gobs of money.

Incumbents have the cingular ability of being able to campaign forever. But formal campaigning for a primary, a run off and a general needs to be foreshortened to enable the new voices with less money the ability to compete.

Oh, and I forgot one thing. Cut away the gerrymanders for GA Districts (and hopefully for City and Village Councils. For the former, draw the Districts as close to square as possible. We have got computers to do this with. Triple the size of the Districts and have three people elected, with multiple voting permitted. For Cities and Villages do the same thinbg. Do not triple the size of the Council, re-size the Districts.b Redraw after each census.

And finally, change the whole pension scheme. allowing only pernsion accumulation against one political job. An alderman and also a member of the GA would not be able to slide in two pensions for one serving period.

Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:25 pm
Make it illegal for any statewide office to be held by a person who lives or has lived within the last five years in Cook County.

Thank you.

Comment by StevesFire Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 5:08 pm
1. Term Limits
2. Tax Accountability Amendment
3. Amendment on limiting growth of government
4. Sunshine ordinances
5. Televise votes and debates
6. Put votes online
7. Unicameral legislature
8. Combine Treasurer and Comptroller into 1 appointed post
9. Eliminate LT Gov
10. State/City County Hatch Act
11. Eliminate contractors from donating political money
12. Eliminate HDO
13. RICO sue the bad elected officials

Comment by Jon Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:11 pm
Pay the directors enough to get professional people in those positions.

Comment by Shelbyville Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:13 pm
Get rid of the Stroger dynasty

Comment by Marlowe Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:30 pm
1. Repeal Article II, Section 2 of the Illinois Constitution, the blank check for Illinois state government.

2. Specifically list the powers of the Illinois state government and strictly limit it to those enumerated powers.

3. Remove as many responsiblities from Illinois state government as possible.

4. Control this limited political power by dividing it up among many office holders. Make many new offices and strictly limit terms, compensation and pensions.

5. Make public office and public employment as unattractive as possible.

6. Remove all incentives to draw a check from the public treasury.

7. Outlaw the title “Honorable”.

The reason there is so much under the table money being passed along to “public servants” is because the potential payoff is so huge. Limiting state government’s power will reduce the potential payoff for conniving rent seekers.

Comment by William Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 7:37 pm
1) Eliminate the income tax, so there is less money to steal from the public treasury.
2) Have one Senator from each county. Reduce the house reps to 102 and allocated upon proportional representation. This may not make things better, but the current system screws the many counties without the large population center of Chicago.
3) Hire competent managers. Yes, this means gutting the personnel system in its entirity and those who abuse their positions in a criminal and unethical fashion. Managers want to hire good people on the front-line to get the job done. Take hiring decisions out of the hands of the mysterious and corruptible personnel system and place it in the hands of those responsible for their units work getting done. We are tired of people showing up without so much as a job even being posted, let alone interviewed.

Comment by Alan Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 7:57 pm
Put a cap on how much someone can donate to a candidate..Then set a limit on how much a candidate can spend on a campaign. That puts everyone on a level playing field. Then everyone can run for office not just the rich.

Comment by Democrat Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 9:15 pm
I’m going to echo Rich Whitney’s last comment. Say, why haven’t Rod or Judy posted their responses?

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 9:56 pm
1) State version of Federal Hatch act….easy investigative report: How many County Chairmen of both parties work in State government…

2) Eliminate state agency term appointments…terms only hold down experienced employees who don’t want to promote to that senior level and have to kiss ass every four years to keep their jobs

3) Limit contributions from any and all businesses/individuals doing business with the state. Easy investigative report: pick any major road contractor, search ISBE site and find that they all contribute huge dollars to both parties gubenatorial candidates…why is that?

4)Personnel Directors should all be code employees with full civil service protections and hired by an independent HR commission. Its the only way to free them from political pressures from above to hire the hacks.

5) CMS should be broken-up. All the goodies…. personnel, contracts, leases, procurement, benefits, under one roof keeps it ripe for corruption.

Comment by Reformed Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:03 pm
Two words: mandatory voting.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 12:29 am
Get rid of that crook Son-in-law of mine in the gov’s office

Comment by Dick M Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 8:48 am
Wow! A lot of inspiring and well thought out ideas but politicians won’t support them unless the voting public starts to become an active member of the political society.
1) Registered voters should do their best to attend their local town/township meetings to hear what’s going on and the lend their voice to these decisions.
2) I agree with Beowulf, if an elected official is convicted of political wrong-doings then they should forfeit their State/Federal pensions. Let’s face it, it’s a sweet deal that is only afforded to them.
3) I also think Hoosier Daddy has some good ideas about term limits - but if term limits are put in place, then corruption can still occur because many of these politicians get appointments to positions that can them on the payroll for years.
4) I agree with nearly everything Rich Whitney has to say and I’d like to add to his comments. All debates should include every candidate who will be on the ballot regardless of party. Right now our media only invites the Democratic candidates and the Republican candidates - once in a while a Libertarian may be invited to Presidential debates, but debates like the upcoming ones for Governor of Illinois, the public will only hear from Blagojevich and Topinka. For a true debate, all candidates must be invited to attend and be given equal treatment - then a true debate of this issues would occur.
5) Non-partisan primary elections are a great idea, we the people should demand it!
6) Sheep peole need to wake up. Yes, there’s more to like than your kids next soccer game and where you’re going to eat out for dinner on Friday night. You can’t go to the polls blindly thinking I’m a Republican, I’ll vote for all the Republicans on the ballot! You have to attend forums where the candidates are speaking, ask questions, and determine which candidate regardless of party is the best to elect. Become involved.
7) Lastly, and I’m not sure how to get people to understand this, but remember why we are free today. Remember the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, what they stand for and that people fought and lost their lives so that we may enjoy these rights today. So get involved with local issues, take the time to volunteer to an orgranization that protects rights that are important to you - because only YOU can make a difference on who gets elected, what laws get passed, and holding your elected official accountable.

Comment by JudyO Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 12:48 pm
UNICAMERAL LEGISTLATURE

TERM LIMITS

Comment by Rick Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 6:05 pm
what are the duties and responsibilities of the leaders of antigua and barbuda?

Comment by mika Thursday, May 10, 07 @ 5:31 am