State constitution needs these changes

In November 2008, there was a call for a constitutional convention in Illinois that was defeated. I didn’t happen mostly, I believe, because of cost estimates near $78 million and the probability that the same politicians who are taking Illinois down the tubes would be those drawing up the new constitution.

Since it is possible to change the constitution without a convention (10 changes have been made without a con-con), I am proposing the following changes to our current constitution:

1) Remove all guarantees regarding salary increases or pensions and how they are managed from the constitution. They don’t belong there in the first place.

2) Take away the current ability for the speaker of the House and the president of the Senate to single-handedly determine what legislation is to be voted on by members of these two bodies. No one person should have that power.

David Krein

Schaumburg