Preparing for a Constitutional Convention
One of the chief arguments against a constitutional convention is the statement that there has been no preparation for the upcoming question that will be on the ballot in November. In 1968 and in 1988, preceding the question being on the ballot there were several committees, organizations and legal groups that produced numerous reports on various aspects of the constitution and what the advantages and disadvantages are of several reforms. None of this preparation has been present for the upcoming 2008 vote, it is true to a small degree.
Largely, the preparation for a constitutional convention has been done by the same two individuals (with the valued assistance of many other individuals) who are pushing for a yes vote on the con-con question: myself and Bruno Behrend. We’ve been talking about this for years, identifying the flaws in the current constitution, the reforms that are sorely needed in
In addition to a book we’ve written that will be coming out in May called “Illinois Deserves Better: The Ironclad Case for an Illinois Constitutional Convention”, we’ve written a draft constitution which we think covers the deficiencies in the current constitution, reforms those aspects of the constitution that assist corruption and truly empowers the voters.
You can view our work at http://www.myillinoisconstitution.org and comment on each section of our draft constitution individually. It is time to open up the political process to the public so that we can truly participate in the governing process and that should start with the drafting of our new constitution (or the amendment thereof). Feel free to leave comments and feedback, we want to know what you think.
Comment by Katie on 22 April 2008 at 2:43 pm:
John-
It’s always great to see attempts at progress in Illinois.
I’m fairly new to this blog, and I was wondering what your relationship is with Illinois State Government. Do you/have you held positions in Springfield or elsewhere?
Comment by John Bambenek on 22 April 2008 at 3:00 pm:
I work for the University of Illinois, other than that, my connections are fairly “outsider”…
I know a few legislators and come from a political family, but haven’t done anything with the ILGA.
Comment by tet on 22 April 2008 at 3:49 pm:
John, how are you planning to safeguard my pension once the concon is sitting?
“Nobody’s life, liberty, or wallet is safe when Congress is in session.”–As true today as when Mark Twain said it more than a century ago.
Tell me about the ways in which you’re going to prevent such abuses and I might even volunteer to work to be a delegate.
Tom Trumpinski
Comment by Anonymous on 14 May 2008 at 4:09 am:
Enjoyed the article. the only problem I see is with your logic.
As a state employee, about 5 years from retirement, I am concerned about the future of my pension too. Your advocating a concon as a way to change the way the pension system is funded. All well and good, but who is going to change this at the concon?? The delegates? Are these the same politicians who have underfunded the pension system for years? Now your going to trust them to do the “right” thing? These clowns in Springfield can’t even agree on the time of day let alone change the Illinois constitution.