Constitutional Convention Gaining Momentum

The push for an Illinois constitutional convention picked up steam Tuesday with news that Cook County Assessor James Houlihan is supporting the Nov. 4 ballot measure that would allow for a con-con.

Houlihan will "bring some money to the table," Greg Hinz reports in Crain's Chicago Business.

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.

In addition, pro forces have hired top political consultant Michael Noonan. The former aide to Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan managed the successful race of daughter Lisa Madigan for Illinois attorney general and ran the campaign of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.

Influential Springfield chronicler Rich Miller, a vocal con-con supporter, offered a personal rationale for the push in his syndicated column Tuesday:

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.

Con-con opponents, long the better funded of the two sides, have seen fundraising slow in the current economy, Crain's reports.

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.

Comments

[DuPageDem]

If term limits are such a great idea (just ask the Newt Generation how well those worked out) then start a ballot initiative to amend the constitution, or better yet elect some GA members with backbone. Reopening the entire document at a con-con will be a disaster. It will be run by unaccountable special interests, and their new document will benefit them alone. Dawn Clark Netsch lead the last one in 1970, but there's no one of her caliber around to do it next time.

[Bruno Behrend]

No one of Dawn Clark Netsch's calibler?!! In a state of over 12 million. Geez!! The entire premise of your comment is silly!!

Decent citizens across the political spectrum are currently locked out of the political process by too-powerful parties and officials that have consolidated power over the decades. Even if the current substandard Constitution isn't the ONLY cause of Illinois woes, it certainly locks the status-quo in place.

The entire Process is CITIZEN DRIVEN, and ANY changes must be ratified by the voters. Stop spewing the talking points of the "special interests" (all of whom have lined up to protect their access to the trough). Book me for a debate on the issue. Any time, any place, any audience.

Vote "yes" on the convention.