Although the presidential race dominates election coverage, the citizens of Illinois will also be voting Nov. 8 on what will probably be the most significant referendum for the rest of this century: The issue is con-con-whether to hold a state constitutional convention to propose overdue reforms.
Voters won`t get another chance to bypass the legislature via a convention until the year 2008, the next time con-con will appear on the ballot. We can`t afford to wait another generation for reform.
The politicians in Springfield have shown no inclination to do what needs to be done, namely to propose:
Merit selection of judges to replace the present system that gave us the Greylord scandal;
The recall power so voters may remove corrupt politicians before their terms are up;
Tough ethics laws to curb conflicts of interest and doubledipping by politicians;
Property tax reform of a system that was set up in Abe Lincoln`s era.
The legislature will never address these issues but the voters can by voting yes on Nov. 8.
