Illinois House Considers Budget Override Motions
The Illinois House of Representatives met for two days this week to consider overriding some of the $1.4 billion in cuts Gov. Rod Blagojevich made last week to the FY 2009 state budget. The House considered 33 separate override motions, passing six that restored $480 million. However, unless the Senate convenes to consider these override motions, the funds will not be restored to the budget. The Senate is not expected to meet until the November veto session.
IEA supported the override of six motions affecting higher education and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB). Listed below are the six motions and the results:
Motion 5: Attorney for IELRB. Failed by a 57-33 vote. Needed 71 votes to override.
Motion 6: School Construction Grants. Failed by a 60-26 vote. Needed 71 votes to override.
Motion 22: Higher Education MAP Grant. Failed by a 57-30 vote. Needed 71 votes to override.
Motion 23: Higher Education Diverse Faculty Grant. Failed by a 55-32 vote. Needed 71 votes to override.
Motion 24: Community college grants. Failed by a 58-29 vote. Needed 71 votes to override.
Motion 25: P-16 Initiative Grant through the Illinois Community College Board. Failed by a 53-34 vote. Needed 71 votes to override.
IEA Speaks Out Against Constitutional Convention
A broad-based, non-partisan coalition of respected consumer, education, good government, judicial, business and labor organizations across the state this week announced it has formed the Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution to ask voters to safeguard the Illinois Constitution by voting "no" on a November referendum about holding a constitutional convention.
The current constitution requires the question of whether or not to convene a constitutional convention be put to the voters at least once every 20 years. Referred to as a “Con-Con,” the assembly of statewide elected delegates would meet to consider changes to the Illinois constitution, crafted in 1970. Voters rejected a Con-Con by a 3-to-1 margin in 1988.
"A constitutional convention would cost upwards of $100 million at a time when the state is running budget deficits and having a tough time funding schools, roads and pension obligations," said Michael Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO. "Whether it's filling the hole in the budget, boosting school spending or creating jobs, there are plenty of better uses for the money, especially given the fact citizens can simply change the constitution through the regular amendment process without a costly convention."
Members of the Alliance acknowledged the state faces real problems, but stressed that electing better representatives and leaders is the real answer, not putting one of the most citizen-friendly and progressive constitutions in America up for grabs.
"It's no secret the people in this Alliance rarely agree on much, but we have come together because we agree on this: Illinois simply cannot afford more discord and distractions from our pressing everyday problems," said Jeff Mays, president of the Illinois Business Roundtable.
The current constitution already provides a proven method for change through the amendment process. Illinois voters have considered 18 amendments to the current constitution – 10 have been approved.
"There is no question there has been too much inaction and infighting in Springfield, but it's the politicians, not the constitution, that are at fault," said former state Rep. Nancy Kaszak, executive director of the Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution. "Changing the constitution because we're unhappy with our leaders of the moment would be like junking your entire car just because it has a flat tire. A constitutional convention could jeopardize constitutional guarantees like protection from discrimination, the affirmation of basic freedoms and equal rights, and tax caps."
Downstate voices joined labor and business in calling for a "no" vote.
"Scheduling a convention for 2010 would freeze any movement on pressing issues that need to be addressed," said Kevin Semlow, director of state legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau.
The following organizations have endorsed the Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution:
AFL-CIO Illinois
American Insurance Association
Center for Tax and Budget Accountability
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Citizen Action Illinois
Illinois Association of Convenience Stores
Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools
Illinois Association of School Administrators
Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators
Illinois Business Roundtable
Illinois Civil Justice League
Illinois Education Association
Illinois Farm Bureau
Illinois Federation of Teachers
Illinois Manufacturers Association
Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association
Illinois Retail Merchants Association
Illinois Retired Teachers Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Illinois State Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Teachers Retirement System
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
League of Women Voters of Illinois
National Federation of Independent Businesses/Illinois
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
Service Employees International Union Illinois
State University Annuitants Association
Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Local 881
What’s Next
There are no legislative session days scheduled again until the November veto session, unless Senate President Emil Jones or House Speaker Michael Madigan convenes their chamber or the governor calls another special session. The dates for the fall veto session are November 12-14 and 19-21.