ConCon question to face voters

ISBA section councils and committees have been requested to review the question of whether an Illinois Constitutional Convention (ConCon) should be held in 2010, and to make recommendations.

“The 1970 Constitution requires that voters get a chance every 20 years to vote on whether a constitutional convention must be held,” said James R. Covington III, ISBA director of legislative affairs. “This question will be on the general election ballot in November 2008.”

The ISBA Assembly will discuss the issues during the Annual Meeting next June in St. Louis, and is expected to arrive at a position on whether to support or oppose conducting the convention.

If Illinois voters decide in November that a seventh Constitutional Convention should be instituted, two delegates from each Senate district will be elected in subsequent balloting.

If their deliberations during late 2009 and early 2010 result in a new Constitution draft or merely individual amendments, the proposal would be presented statewide as a referendum within two to six months after the convention adjourns.