Constitutional convention in Illinois?
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.A broad-based, bipartisan coalition of the most respected consumer, education, good government, business and labor organizations in the state has, along with foremost legal experts, formed the Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution to ask voters to reject a costly and unnecessary 2010 constitutional convention. Voters voted “no” on the same question 1988 by a 3-to-1 margin, and they should do so again in 2008. From email
A ConCon in Illinois would be the worst thing that could happen right now. The Machine in Cook County would dominate it. The entire state would end up paying for the corruption and crime that is a way of life for Daley and his Cronies. Our 2nd Amendment rights would be trampled and our freedoms cut short.
I think IL should consider becoming a federal sytem because the state is so diverse regionally. On the US level, I think a convention would not be a bad idea from the standpoint of deciding whether to go back to a federal system or make the consolidation legal. I’ve just posted at http://euandus3.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/on-the-virtue-of-a-constitutional-moment-reconsidering-the-american-system-of-government/