Mitchell: Constitution convention won’t solve budget stalemate

Posted on June 11, 2017
State Rep. Bill Mitchell doubts a constitution convention would change the political climate in Springfield. (YouTube photo)

By Greg Halbleib

FORSYTH – A local lawmaker says a proposal to place a constitutional convention on the November ballot is a bad idea.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth) said he has two main issues with the proposal.

“Who do you think will control that constitution convention? No doubt the city of Chicago could enhance its already-formidable power across the state of Illinois,” Mitchell said. “Number two, the problems in Illinois are not the constitution’s fault, they

[w:\ArchivedAudio\2017\0607Mitchell_ConCon1.wav]
:19 “politicians’ fault”

Mitchell points out that the same constitution was in place 20 years ago without a budget stalemate, indicating the problem does not lie with the document.

“Twenty years ago, we had the very same constitution we have now and we didn’t have this mess that we’re in,” Mitchell explained. “So it’s evident, quite frankly, that the people in control in Springfield are the ones at fault, and I wouldn’t blame the document. That’s just too easy.”

State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) has proposed placing a referendum for a constitution convention on this fall’s ballot.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…