People must continue fighting for reform

It is difficult for anyone to have job security today. Tens of thousands of unemployed Illinoisans are searching for a new line of work, and even many with jobs are looking for a career that is less vulnerable to today's economic conditions.

They might want to consider running for the Illinois General Assembly where, once elected, few members ever find themselves on the unemployment line. The position of Illinois state legislator is among the most secure in the world.

If history is our guide, well over nine of 10 incumbents running for re-election will win in November, and their victories won't have anything to do with stellar job performance.

For many incumbents, re-election, no matter what kind of job they've been doing, is all but guaranteed. And for almost half the voters, there is not much reason to vote at all because only one candidate will be on the ballot.

There are many reasons for this lack of voter choice, but the most significant is that Illinois' election laws were designed to discourage competition.

Legislators draw their district boundary lines, and they do it with their own re-elections in mind, not the best interest of voters. This year, the Democratic majority in the General Assembly beat back attempts to reform the redistricting process that would have given mapmaking authority to an independent commission. Those in power in the Illinois General Assembly have blocked legislation to level the campaign finance playing field and impose limits on legislative leader campaign contributions.

That kind of reform will require the constant prodding and persuasion of the civic, business, labor, nonprofit and other advocacy communities throughout the state. All of Illinois is going to have to get involved. Clearly, the politicians aren't going to do it for us.

Peter Bensinger

Deborah Harrington

George Ranney

Co-Chairs

CHANGE Illinois!