Constitutional Convention for Illinois

Just in case you haven't seen it, there is a new pitch out there for donations to oppose the constitutional convention by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. It says: "We must not allow our state's legislative process to be compromised by some individuals' overzealous desire to supersede the current democratic method."

Gee, and we thought a constitutional convention is part of the democratic method. And we didn't know that being for a constitutional convention has made us "overzealous."

Oh, and by the way, none of the groups I know that are for the constitutional convention are pushing for a "California style" voter ballot initiaitive as the Chamber claims, but facts don't seem to get in the way of the opponents of a constitutional convention. Their goal is to raise $3 million to try to make sure that people are scared enough of democracy to vote no.

This year, they may not succeed, however, because of the mess that they have helped create in Springfield. We urge you to support a constitutional convention as the best chance to make real--not symbolic or promised--change in how they do business in Springfield.