State Constitution: If it’s not broke . . .

Last Friday, I proudly voted early for the first time ever! I tried holding out for Election Day, like I typically do, so that I could take in the full historic moment, but I just didn’t want to take any chances.

With just one week left before Election Day and hundreds of voters taking advantage of the opportunity to cast their ballots early, it appears this time around Americans seem to understand that too much is riding on this election for anyone to sit on the sidelines on Nov. 4.

For Illinoisans, this election year comes with another important footnote. Voters will be asked to decide a question that could potentially influence our future long after the next president or legislators leave office. Should Illinois convene a new Constitutional Convention? In fact, that’s the first question on the ballot, even before you are asked to cast your vote for president.

Before you check “Yes,” know the facts.

For starters, what is a Constitutional Convention? You probably first heard of it in a high school social studies or constitutional law class and haven’t thought about it since. A Constitutional Convention is a meeting of delegates from every district in the state who are empowered to rewrite the state Constitution–changing laws as they see fit. Under Illinois law, at least once every 20 years, voters are given an opportunity to decide whether they want to convene a Constitutional Convention. The last time a Constitutional Convention was convened was in 1970. The last time the question appeared on the ballot was in 1988, and it lost overwhelmingly.

Here’s how it works: Calling a Constitutional Convention requires three-fifths of those voting on the measure, or a majority of those voting in the election. At the event, if a majority of delegates decides that a law needs to be changed, the question is put to the voters. If a majority of voters agrees that the law should be changed, then the proposal becomes a new law.

This year, advocates have been pushing hard for a new Constitutional Convention. Those in favor argue that it would represent an opportunity to get around legislative gridlock to move the state closer to matters such as property tax reform, relief from high utility rates, term limits for elected officials, even education funding reform.

However, opponents argue that proposing changes to the state’s Constitution in such a poisonous partisan political climate is too risky. For one, they argue, we could effectually turn back the clock on civil rights protections from discrimination in housing, education and employment that we have taken for granted for years. Much-needed reforms, such as in education funding, could actually be delayed.

While both sides have valid arguments, we at Chicago Urban League feel it is important for voters to remember that the vast majority of the problems African Americans face do not stem from flaws in our state Constitution. A shortage of good-paying jobs, failing schools and lack of access to capital to fund businesses–none of these problems will go away by attacking our state Constitution with a red ballpoint pen. High crime rates, scarce affordable housing and deteriorating infrastructure in our neighborhoods–these are social ills that cannot be blamed on the Constitution. In fact, the estimated $40 million to $80 million cost of a Constitutional Convention could be better spent purchasing computers for public schools on the South and West sides, or hiring more highly skilled teachers in the toughest neighborhood schools.

As for education funding, the Constitution already clearly spells out the responsibility of the state to provide a high quality education to all of its citizens, and it’s high time for Illinois lawmakers to honor that.

In 1808, the designers of the state’s original Constitution wrote in a useful feature for making changes to the document: It’s called an amendment. We, at the Urban League, believe the tools to lead Illinois forward are already in the hands–or certainly within reach–of our legislative leaders. The other tool lies in your hands. As a voter, you have the power to elect the candidates you believe will make the changes our community needs. If you’re not informed about who you want to vote for, their policies and their track records, then I suggest you do your homework before Tuesday rolls around.

Cheryle R. Jackson is the president of the Chicago Urban League. She can be reached at president@thechicagourbanleague.org.