Spring Break
Constitutional Convention debate held at UIC
Joel Ebert
Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: News
Media Credit: APRepresentative John Fritchey discussed the possibility of a Constitutional Convention at UIC last week.
This November, Illinois voters will be faced with the chance to vote on whether to revisit the state constitution by calling for a constitutional convention. Voters will be required to make their decision while they cast their vote for president, leaving less than six weeks to decide whether they want a constitutional convention, or con-con, as it is often referred, to be held.
The 1970 Illinois Constitution requires that voters decide every 20 years whether it is necessary to revise or altogether rewrite the state constitution. The last vote was held in 1988 and was subsequently rejected. This year, there has been a significant amount of dialogue from supporters for and against the reconvening of a constitutional convention.
Last week, UIC held a panel discussion on the matter that featured proponents of both sides of the issue. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and State Representative John Fritchey appeared on the panel. Both offered up supporting statements for holding a constitutional convention. Quinn said that the politicians in Springfield are unable to pass any significant piece of legislation due to political gridlock. Fritchey continued saying significant issues such as education funding reform has not happened because "Springfield does not have a lot of profiles in courage."
Proponents such as Quinn and Fritchey supporting the convention say that it would allow time for the best chance for real change. Fritchey explained that the delegates that would attend the convention would be citizens without political backgrounds therefore they would be accountable to none other than their fellow citizens. One of the other benefits of holding the convention, according to Quinn, is that voters must approve of any changes to constitution after the convention takes place. This serves as a counterbalance to the influence that external forces such as lobbyists and special interests groups may have.
Although Quinn and Fritchey support efforts to hold the convention, there is strong opposition as well. Kathryn Nesburg of the League of Women Voters of Illinois and former State Senator and current Northwestern University Professor Dawn Clark Netsch appeared on last week's panel in opposition to the convention.
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The 1970 Illinois Constitution requires that voters decide every 20 years whether it is necessary to revise or altogether rewrite the state constitution. The last vote was held in 1988 and was subsequently rejected. This year, there has been a significant amount of dialogue from supporters for and against the reconvening of a constitutional convention.
Last week, UIC held a panel discussion on the matter that featured proponents of both sides of the issue. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and State Representative John Fritchey appeared on the panel. Both offered up supporting statements for holding a constitutional convention. Quinn said that the politicians in Springfield are unable to pass any significant piece of legislation due to political gridlock. Fritchey continued saying significant issues such as education funding reform has not happened because "Springfield does not have a lot of profiles in courage."
Proponents such as Quinn and Fritchey supporting the convention say that it would allow time for the best chance for real change. Fritchey explained that the delegates that would attend the convention would be citizens without political backgrounds therefore they would be accountable to none other than their fellow citizens. One of the other benefits of holding the convention, according to Quinn, is that voters must approve of any changes to constitution after the convention takes place. This serves as a counterbalance to the influence that external forces such as lobbyists and special interests groups may have.
Although Quinn and Fritchey support efforts to hold the convention, there is strong opposition as well. Kathryn Nesburg of the League of Women Voters of Illinois and former State Senator and current Northwestern University Professor Dawn Clark Netsch appeared on last week's panel in opposition to the convention.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Jim Maurer
posted 9/23/08 @ 8:59 AM CST
Very interesting.
Gail Schmidt
posted 9/23/08 @ 9:28 AM CST
I sincerely think we would be making a very huge mistake by considering a con-con. I myself feel that it is our leadership in Illinois, and NOT the constitution that needs to be looked at. (Continued…)
Christopher Rohr
posted 9/25/08 @ 6:27 AM CST
The drafters of the state constitution wisely mandated that every 20 years the voters must vote on whether to call a constitutional convention. It?s the ultimate way voters can hold state government accountable. (Continued…)
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