Illinois House Supporting Constitutional Convention

In 2008, Illinois residents will have an opportunity to relieve themselves of the stranglehold on state politics held by the Chicago Democrats. In November next year, voters will have an opportunity to call for a constitutional convention, and reclaim the power from our ineffective government. Ironically, it was Congressman John Fritchey, D-Chicago, who spearheaded a resolution supporting the effort in the Illinois House.

Fritchey's resolution cited "an unacceptably large and increasing funding disparity between school districts," and inadequate state support of education as one of the primary drives behind the measure.

However, the most telling reason was the second, where he said "The people of Illinois deserve and demand good and honest government..."

The measure narrowly passed on June 7, with 48 votes for, 47 against, and 2 voting present, leaving 21 House members who were absent or were noted as "No Vote" for the resolution. The roll call vote indicates 17 of those members were marked as "Excused." The four AWOL Congressmen were: Daniel Burke, D-Chicago, 23^rd District; Joseph Lyons, D-Chicago, 19^th District; Lisa Dugan, D-Kankakee, 79^th District; and, Ed Sullivan, Jr., R-Mundelein, 51^st District.

The House then went through a grueling four month appropriations session, in which it became clear to some observers of the process that Illinois government is broken, and the will of the voters completely ineffectual compared to the personal power that has been gathered by the Governor Blagojevich, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and Senate President Emil Jones.

One of the Congressmen who initially voted against the resolution supporting the Constitutional Convention was Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, who represents the meandering 110^th District that covers Coles, Douglas, and portions of Champaign County.

"We have an opportunity in 2008 to end this stranglehold," Rose said in a telephone interview on October 11. "We need to change the power structure," Rose said, expressing his frustration at the debacle that four months of internecine Chicago politics made of the state's appropriations bill.

Rose said that one of the issues that needs to be addressed in the Illinois constitution is the waste generated by the Governor's office, and firmly re-establishing Springfield as the seat of Illinois government. "The Governor's commuting expenses are a drop in the bucket compared to what the taxpayers are paying for his staff to come to Springfield every time there's a hearing."

The resolution had sponsors from both sides of the aisle, including retiring Congressman Bill Black, R-Danville.

"I'm vocally supporting a constitutional convention," Rose said.