Chicagoist: Election '08-A-Go-Go

Marcus Gilmer

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:02:13 -0600

I've added Hunter's comment about the Con-Con into the post for the sake of being complete.

GriffinMill

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:30:47 -0600

Well thanks for putting this all together BEFORE I voted yesterday! Sheesh. Grandma: Here's one article on the "controversial" convention vote: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/10/state-constitut.html#more The Chicago Tribune says vote Yes, the Sun-Times urges No. Those who say no argue that a convention would just waste millions of dollars; that any problems the Illinois government has are not the fault of the constitution, which is sound, but with the politicians themselves; and that a convention would just lead to a bunch of arguing back and forth and not actually solve anything. The Trib argues Vote Yes, but their argument doesn't seem to actually say much. Sun-Times: http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/endorsements/1206208,CST-EDT-edit07.article Trib: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-1005edit1oct05,0,847329.story

JD84

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:28:08 -0600

I'm just happy for this article. The presidential election coverage has been so overwhelming, and I've honestly hardly given thought to the other races. Thanks!

LauraH

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:26:31 -0600

You missed another important ballot issue: Yes or no to rewriting the state constitution.

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:18:56 -0600

Of course the last judge actually defeated for retention on the circuit court was Judge John Tully in 1990, the same year HE WAS ELECTED TO THE APPELLATE COURT. Have to love Cook County!

Hunter Clauss

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:17:52 -0600

YES! Thank you for pointing this out. Illinois voters have the option of calling for a Constitutional Convention every 20 years. The Con-Con's purpose is to revise the state constitution, which will be done by a delegation created by a special election in 2009 (that is if the Con-Con passes on Nov. 4). Supporters of the Con-Con, which include Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, say that the measure can help enact new ethics and campaign reforms. Others, like Governor Rod Blagojevich, worry that a Con-Con could create restrictions on civil liberties and increase the state government's power. If a Con-Con is called, the new constitution must be approved by voters. Hope that helps!

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:11:41 -0600

Looking at the bar association recommendations alone can be confusing deceiving. Both the sun times and the trib have recommended voting no on retention for at least four circuit court judges: Edward Pietrucha, Vanessa Hopkins, Evelyn Clay, and Casandra Lewis. The reasons why are outlined in the links that follow. Sun Times: http://www.voteforjudges.org/press/ChicagoSunTimes_102708.htm Trib: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-1015edit1oct15,0,1764835.story

bunnybear

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:05:02 -0600

Thanks for getting the judicial resources out there Hunter. It may be the ass-end, but it can have a significant impact on people's lives, especially when they hit one of the bad ones.

grandma

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:58:25 -0600

When I voted early, I overheard one of the workers make a comment about the "Call for a Constitutional Convention" vote. She said she "heard something interesting" about the vote, but didn't want to talk about it with voters present. Are there any significant issues pertaining to this vote?