The 'Pros' & 'Cons' to Con-Con

Besides the local, state and national political races you should already be aware of tomorrow - the voters will answer the question of whether or not to have an Illinois Constitutional Convention revised, as required by law every 20 years. The purpose of a con-con is to give regular people like you and me the opportunity to participate in rewriting and amending the Illinois State constitution. The 'Broken Heart' is offering our readers the “Pros” and the “Cons” to con-con. This is a re-run from this weeks issue of Gay Chicago Magazine.

The first constitution, written in 1818, was the result of the 1817 convention at Kaskaskia. Illinois. Delegates have convened three times to rewrite newer versions. lllinoisans are now under the jurisdiction of the constitution written in 1970. Source.

Why I’m Voting “Yes” for Constitutional Convention
(and You Should, Too...)

In the course of my work on behalf of children with diabetes, their families and The Care of Students with Diabetes Act, I’ve learned a lot about how Springfield works (and doesn’t). Some of what happens in our name is admirable and worthy of our respect. But there are also deep and growing problems that go beyond personalities and the pros and cons of particular legislation.

On Election Day, you will be asked whether or not Illinois should convene a constitutional convention. I encourage you to vote “Yes.” There are many good reasons that warrant your “Yes” vote but these three needed reforms are stand-outs:

Redress the Concentration of Power. The Constitution currently facilitates a concentration of power among three people - the House Speaker, the Senate President and the Governor. They choose what bills get called (and don’t), they pre-select office holders without the consent of voters, and they make every committee appointment. Individual members are free to file enlightened, progressive bills-- including, say, one to reform the rules - but such bills are unlikely to ever come up for a vote should they challenge the power and privilege of leadership. Add the Governor’s expansive interpretation of the amendatory veto, which has led him to unilaterally rewrite bills, and - voilá - the entire legislative process has seized; it no longer functions. You can change this.

End Pay-to-Play: Institute Meaningful Campaign Finance Reform. Legislative leaders, political action committees and businesses can give as much money to candidates as they want. There are no restrictions on individual contributions either. That’s why Ali Ata and others can give $25,000 and more to the Governor and not violate any campaign finance laws. Money has become both the bait and the bully stick in Illinois politics. This means if you can’t give, you can’t get; the voice of money is bigger and more important than yours. You can change this.

Require Non-Partisan Legislative Redistricting. Legislative maps are drawn to favor incumbents, which sets the most fundamental principal of democracy on its head - instead of voters choosing their politicians, politicians are choosing their voters. You can change this.

There are many other issues that a constitutional convention could address such as eliminating the regressive income tax structure, fully funding education, instituting recall, reforming tax increment financing, and establishing marriage equality for all, just to name a few.

Assuming that the yes votes carry, elections for delegates to the constitution will run parallel or close to other campaigns for elected office. That means there's going to be a lot of competition for resources. This is a good thing; it means that the convention is less likely to be populated by a bunch of toadies and more by a mixed bag of delegates free to engage in healthy, open debate and bargaining - which is exactly what we need.

Still, some opponents fear that extreme special interests will reverse hard-won rights. Others argue we needn’t convene a constitutional convention because needed changes can be made through the established legislative processes. If that were true, insiders couldn’t gin the process and botch opportunities for reform as they do now. If that were true, Illinois wouldn’t hold the dubious distinction of being among the top three most corrupt states in the United States.

Others misunderstand what is and what is not possible and believe that a constitutional convention means starting over and rewriting the entire constitution from scratch. This is simply not accurate.

If a convention can make just one of the above reforms happen, it will be a success. That’s why those who are served, if not enriched, by the status quo are trying so hard and spending so many millions to scare you into voting “No.”

The most important thing to remember is this: if a constitutional convention is called, you will elect the delegates and you will vote on all proposed changes---yea or nay. This is a once in a 20-year opportunity to fortify and enhance Illinois’ foundation. Make the most of it.

Rich Miller, columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, summed up the situation perfectly, “None of these reforms may come to pass even with a constitutional convention. But none of it will ever happen without one. So, once again, please vote ‘Yes’ this November.”

Suzanne Elder is a legislative advocate, a former candidate for elected office, and a survivor of the graduate program in public policy studies at The University of Chicago.
Rep. Greg Harris: Vote “No” on Constitutional Convention

If the roof in your house sprung a leak, would you fix the roof or burn down the house and start over? That is essentially the choice Illinois voters will make this year when we decide whether or not to have a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to write a new state constitution.

Proponents of a Con-Con argue there are things that should be fixed in our State government. Some of these are legitimate issues … but they can be fixed without rewriting our entire constitution. Other things they bring up sound like good issues in the midst of our current political mess in Springfield … but they are red herrings.

I believe we need to fix certain things: voters need the ability to recall elected officials, and Illinois should be allowed to have a progressive income tax. Those two items can be addressed by individual amendments without rewriting the entire constitution.

Proponents also claim that we need to change the constitution because too much power is concentrated in the hands of four legislative leaders. But guess what? Those powers are not in the Constitution, they are in the Rules of the House and Senate. If you want to change how the legislature works, change the Rules not the Constitution. You can read and compare these documents for yourself at www.ilga.gov, where the Illinois Constitution and both the House and Senate Rules are posted.

I have two other big concerns about a Con-Con. First, it is anticipated that it will cost Illinois taxpayers around $80 million. Especially in our current economic environment I would rather see that $80 million spent on healthcare, education, the environment and paying the State’s overdue bills rather than on a playground for lobbyists and special interests.

The $80 million cost to the public will only be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to money thrown around at a Con-Con. Every lobbyist and special interest group in Illinois will spend millions and millions more to make “improvements” to our Constitution that benefit their particular point of view.

Instead of dealing with issues of governance, we could end up in a battle over whether a woman’s right to choose should be eliminated, whether equal rights for gays and lesbians should be restricted and other social tinkering.

Is opposition to a Con-Con mainstream thinking? Yes it is! A diverse collection of groups oppose the Con-Con, including many who rarely find themselves on the same side of most issues.

Citizen Action Illinois and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce oppose Con-Con, along with the Chicago Urban League, AFL-CIO, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, the League of Women Voters, Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and many many others.

When you go to your polling place, give this issue a lot of thought … as it will affect your life and livelihood for decades to come. Let’s just fix the leaks rather than burning down the house.

I urge you to vote No on the Constitutional Convention.

Greg Harris was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2006. Harris serves as Representative for the 13th District including Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center and Bowmanville. Harris also is the highest ranking openly gay elected official in the State of Illinois.

Blognotes: Are you voting 'Yes' or "No' on con-con? Please explain you reasons. And be original. Don't use these talking points. Use your own.