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* Rebecca Anzel at Capitol News Illinois…
A judge on Thursday sided against an Illinois organization that claimed restrictions implemented to combat the novel coronavirus made it impossible to gather the necessary signatures to place a constitutional amendment on November’s general election ballot.
The official order was expected to be released sometime Thursday, a court clerk said.
The Committee for the Illinois Democracy Amendment is advocating for a constitutional change that would obligate the General Assembly to take roll call votes on bills proposing “stronger ethical standards for Illinois public officials.”
It would also allow residents to propose related bills by submitting a petition with at least 100,000 signatures.
The committee’s attorneys argued in a court document that social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions “forced” voters to weigh their health against their First Amendment rights.
Read the rest and you’ll see that former Gov. Pat Quinn is one of the attorneys in the case.
*** UPDATE *** Local 150 of the Operating Engineers has filed a federal lawsuit in Chicago to have the state constitution’s revision provisions declared unconstitutional, enjoined and/or modified. The union is pushing a state constitutional amendment that would outlaw “right to work” laws…
This is an action to declare unconstitutional, enjoin and/or modify the requirement contained in Article XIV, Section 2, of the Illinois Constitution which requires that proposed amendments to the Illinois Constitution be passed by the legislature at least six months prior to the next general election. This case is an emergency in light of the current public health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus, which resulted in the Governor’s emergency orders effectively shutting down the State. Consequently, the General Assembly cancelled sessions in both the House and the Senate from March 18, 2020, through at least May 3, 2020.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:37 am
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Again … “How can we miss you if you won’t go away?”
Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:38 am
Quinn, go–mow some yards with your 100-year old lawnmower.
Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:39 am
At least he’s always got that Super 8 Discount Card to fall back on.
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:42 am
When he finds out that “social distancing” isn’t the reason no one wants to get within six feet of him holding a clipboard…
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:44 am
== the committee was founded on April 1. ==
So they didn’t even start until after the pandemic was raging for weeks? Call me a cynic, but it looks like they were trying to leverage coronavirus from the start.
Comment by Roman Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:55 am
When I have trouble falling asleep…I gently whisper “Pat Quinn” to myself…and nod off…blissfully unaware…too.
Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:56 am
I hope he has a full refrigerator.
Comment by Keyrock Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:57 am
Even if they could get the petition signatures, I seriously doubt that our Constitution is the appropriate place for any requirement that a roll call vote be held on a specific piece of legislation.
Getting tired of Constitutional Amendment petition drives designed primarily to motivate the signers.
Comment by walker Friday, May 8, 20 @ 11:59 am
“At least he’s always got that Super 8 Discount Card to fall back on.”
Maybe he could loan his Super 8 discount card to legislators and staff who have to stay in individual hotel rooms upon their return to Springfield.
Then again, Springfield is down to only one Super 8. Off the I-55 exit for South Grand (Exit 96)
Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, May 8, 20 @ 12:00 pm
–There is no proof the committee tried complying with the state’s established process before March, she added. According to documents filed with the board, the committee was founded on April 1.–
Yes Roman. Looks like a manufactured crisis.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 8, 20 @ 12:03 pm
The lawsuit filed by 150 might be one of the dumbest lawsuits I can remember, and I’m writing this in response to a thread pointing out Pat Quinn lost yet another dumb lawsuit.
The premise of their lawsuit is the have been deprived of their First Amendment rights to petition the government to pass a constitutional amendment because of the Governor’s emergency order and the General Assembly’s actions cancelling session. They also seem to propose they have a First Amendment right to expect a vote on this matter because they want it. This is both a childish premise and lacks a fundamental understanding of constitutional law.
Not to mention if campaign records with contributions are correct, 150 has engaged in LOTS of speech over the years. I’m pretty sure they had ample opportunity to try to convince the Speaker and the President to convene Springfield. I’m pretty sure they had a chance to ask the Governor to call a special session to consider the matter. The powers that be decided not to act on this. That’s not infringing on your constitutional rights, that’s democracy.
Comment by public input Friday, May 8, 20 @ 12:34 pm
-I’m pretty sure they had ample opportunity to try to convince the Speaker and the President to convene Springfield. I’m pretty sure they had a chance to ask the Governor to call a special session to consider the matter.-
I agree. Their remedy is a legislative one, same as the Eastern Bloc.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 8, 20 @ 12:50 pm
With all due respect to the 150, getting declared parts of the constitution unconstitutional during an emergency could have very bad consequences in the long run.
Comment by A Jack Friday, May 8, 20 @ 12:57 pm
Count II states that one part of the Illinois Constitution is unconstitutional…based upon another another part of the Illinois Constitution. #Doh.
Comment by Simply Sayin' Friday, May 8, 20 @ 1:32 pm
Upon a skim of the 150 complaint, it boggles the mind to see an entity which is well known to be one of the most influential special interests in the state complain essentially that they cannot petition government to get what they want, when the very complaint cites a news story that says they were in discussions with leadership and the Governor’s office before the GA shut down. They have lots of juice down there, but apparently not enough to get the GA to come back (in their discretion), so… lawsuit?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 8, 20 @ 1:45 pm
Quinn won the last case, Millennium Park free speech; how is this him “losing another case”
Comment by Moist von Lipwig Friday, May 8, 20 @ 1:50 pm
150’s suit going to be summarily dismissed for lack of Federal Subject Matter Jurisdiction.
If they believe they have a case, this should be pursued in State Court.
Comment by Oak Parker Friday, May 8, 20 @ 3:19 pm
==Super 8 Discount Card==
Someone noted for thrift wants to improve ethics in Illinois government. Of course mockery is expected.
Comment by Anonanonsir Friday, May 8, 20 @ 3:41 pm
=== Consequently, the General Assembly cancelled sessions in both the House and the Senate from March 18, 2020, through at least May 3, 2020.===
The fair maps folks… they cheering?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 20 @ 3:42 pm