Final Report: Constitutional Convention — 2009 Issues Briefing (January 31, 2009)
Background: Should There Be a Constitutional Convention?
Stated differently, do the anticipated benefits
from rewriting specific articles of the constitution by a
convention outweigh the potential risks involved
in exposing the entire constitution to revision. Sharon Alter,
co-chair of the LWVIL Con-Con Study Committee, points out
these considerations:
- the extent of the need to improve the Illinois Constitution,
- the urgency to institute multiple reforms simultaneously,
and
- the potential to achieve piecemeal change through the
current amendment process.
Read Sharon's complete article
HERE.
Panel Discussion: Pros and Cons of Calling a Constitutional
Convention
Issues Briefing 2008 was supposed to feature a panel discussing
the pros and cons of having a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).
Unfortunately, the unexpected death of Lt. Governor
Pat Quinn's father prevented his attendance and presentation
of the pro side. Here is the
PRO side from a different source: an editorial from the
Decatur Herald and Review.
Former State Representative Nancy Kaszak
was present at the Issues Briefing to present the arguments
in opposition to Con-Con. Here is the
CON side.
League Study:
The Illinois League used the consensus process to take a
position on whether a Constitutional Convention should be
called. The Con-Con Study Committee, with Kathy Nesburg and
Sharon Alter as co-chairs, prepared questions and materials:
LWVIL President's Letter to Local League Presidents regarding Con-Con
LWVIL
Con-Con Chairs' Memo about the Con-Con Study
Con-Con
Study Guide
LWVIL Con-Con Consensus Questions and Local League Report Form
The League Consensus Meeting: Reaching Member Agreement
Local Leagues held consensus meetings in late February or
early March, 2008. To prepare for these meetings, Leaguers
were asked to read the Illinois Constitution, which can be
found at www.ilga.gov.
The Handbook of Illinois Government, which is published
by the Illinois Secretary of State's office, contains the
text and can be obtained at the offices of state senators
or representatives.
Background from Union League Club of Chicago:
The Union League Club of Chicago also posed the question:
AN ILLINOIS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN 2008?
A distinguished panel of experts responded
with an article giving background information and a summary
of the issues likely to be raised. That article is reprinted
HERE
with the permission of the Union League Club. The article
is also referenced in the bibliography of the Con-Con
Study Guide.
Additional Resources:
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