By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Changes to the state’s Constitution require a mailer to be sent to households across the state. The sponsor of a bill to get rid of that requirement says it’s not necessary for this day and age.
Suburban Chicago State Rep. David McSweeney’s bill would relieve the state of the requirement that any proposed change to the state’s Constitution is sent to addresses across Illinois via a small mailer explaining the change. He said the $1.3 million cost is too much considering other services are being shorted.
“There’s no way we can afford to spend on mailing of our constitutional amendments,” McSweeney, R-Barrington, said. “To think that some people are not receiving social services that are truly needed, but we’re mailing these for $1.3 million is outrageous.”
There will still be a number of ways to make the proposed change to the state’s constitution known.
“There will still be an online notice requirement, still be a requirement for newspapers to publish that information. And, of course, it will still be discussed in the public domain,” McSweeney said.
Secretary of State Jesse White’s office is responsible for sending out the mailers. A spokesman for White’s office said they have no opinion on doing away with the mailers and will follow the law as lawmakers see fit.
The last constitutional amendment to have notifications mailed out was last November’s “Lockbox Amendment.”
McSweeney’s bill moves to the Senate after passing unanimously in the House.
