The Illinois Constitution requires that the question of calling a new constitutional convention be placed on the ballot during general election every 20 years. The last time such a convention occurred was in 1970, a convention which redrafted and amended the 1870 constitution, which included many specific provisions concerning local government debt, cumulative voting, and various requirements on local government in order to be able to pass laws, such as going to Springfield for every major decision.

In 1968, voters in Illinois called for a constitutional convention. This process involves many important and expensive decisions, as the convention in 1970 cost over $14 million dollars. Voters also had to elect delegates to the convention to decide how the new constitution would be drafted and what provisions it would include. These delegates included many rising stars in Illinois politics, including current mayor Richard M. Daley and House speaker Michael Madigan.

Recent History of the Convention Provision

In 1988, 20 years after the last decision to have a constitutional convention, a group called the “Committee of 50” provided an evaluation of the 1970 constitution as well as materials for voters to decide on another one. Many interest groups, including the League of Women Voters and the AFL-CIO opposed a constitutional convention because they felt it was too dangerous, or would include too many hot-button  issues, and would change a constitution which had served the state well. Voters rejected a new convention with a 3-1 margin.

Supporters of a convention often care about particular issues, so politicians like Lt. Governor Pat Quinn initiated and passed amendments to the constitution. Lt. Governor Quinn eradicated cumulative voting and reduced the size of the Illinois House of Representatives from 177 to 118 members.

Prospects for a Constitutional Convention Today

The reasons for holding a constitutional convention can be varied – ultimately, if an individual or group believes that their key issues cannot or will not be addressed by the legislature, then they must fight for a constitutional convention. Referendum and recall and the appointment (rather than election) of judges are two issues which are unlikely to be changed by the legislature, and as such would only be addressed at a constitutional convention. Taxation and school funding reform are similarly very difficult to pass in the legislature and a constitutional convention would open avenues for reform in these areas.

Unlike today, the convention in 1970 was held after 25 year of study and debate with almost unanimous support from both voters and experts. Today, a convention would likely be the result of a political climate with which many are upset. The writers of the “Con-Con” article for the Illinois report are conservative about the possibility of a new convention; some, like Lt. Governor Pat Quinn feel optimistic that voters will make the right decision concerning a potential convention, and that each generation should have the opportunity to look over its main governing document.