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September 12, 2008

Dave Druker
Henry Haupt

Proposed Illinois Constitutional Convention Pamphlets to be Issued

Secretary of State Jesse White announced his office has begun the process of distributing to households statewide a pamphlet concerning the proposed call for a State of Illinois Constitutional Convention. Illinois residents will be receiving this informational pamphlet in the mail over the next few weeks.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is required to distribute such a pamphlet statewide as part of the 1970 Illinois Constitution’s mandate to place this referendum before the voters every 20 years. At the general election to be held on November 4, 2008, Illinois voters will be called upon to decide whether Illinois should convene a constitutional convention.

This pamphlet provides arguments for and against holding a constitutional convention to aid voters in determining whether they feel it is necessary to rewrite the Illinois Constitution. These arguments and the accompanying explanations were written by the General Assembly in House Joint Resolution 137. In 1988, voters rejected the call for a constitutional convention, with 75 percent voting against and 25 percent voting in favor of convening a convention.

White’s office is not only sending the pamphlets to all households statewide, but also is providing versions in Spanish and Chinese to designated language-minority areas as certified by the federal government according to the 2000 U.S. Census. In addition to the versions in English, Spanish, and Chinese, a Polish version is available at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

Pamphlets will soon be made available at public libraries statewide.