Show Us Amendment Q & A
  1. What's the Problem?
    • Leaders can jam up or quickly pass legislation
    • Three men in a room (the leaders) can make all decisions on last minute bills.
    • Rank & File legislators are left out of process till the end & beholden to leaders.
    • Last minute deals have big impact on Illinois Citizens. They don't know it's coming.

  2. Why an Amendment?
    • The constitution permits amendment by citizen's initiative, but only to "structural and procedural" subjects ontained in Article IV, the legislative article.
    • Amendments on all other subjects are controlled by the legislators or convention changes.
    • Past efforts to work around the leaders have failed.
    • Changing the system through the Constitution is the strongest.
    • Citizens sending a message - It's our Constitution.

  3. What would an amendment do?
    • Work will be started earlier instead of last minute.
    • This will help avoid the stalemate we now see in Springfield.
    • Allow rank & file legislators, news media and the public to see what's being proposed.
    • Allow citizens to log in on the proposal with their local legislators.
    • Make those votes for local legislators mean real representation for voters.

  4. Why Get Involved?
    • We get the Democracy we settle for.
    • Stealth legislation at last minute impacts our daily lives.
    • We hire these guys to work FOR US.

  5. How Can I Help?
    • Spread the word and circulate the petition.
    • Talk about the Issue with your friends and neighbors.

  6. Who Can Circulate the Petitions?
    • Any US citizen who is 18 or older.
    • Petitions can be downloaded at www.showus.org

  7. Who Can Sign?
    • Registered Voters only.
    • Each petition is for only those residing in the listed jurisdiction.
    • Name and address should be signed exactly as shown on voter registration.

  8. When does this have to be done?
    • Our goal is 350,000 signatures by April 30, 2008. (Filing deadline is May 11, 2008)
    • If enough signatures are provided, it will be on the ballot on November 4, 2008.

  9. Has this ever been done before?
    • Yes, in 1980 Pat Quinn launched the Cutback Amendment, which was ratified and reduced the size of the House of Representatives in Illinois.