Vote NO on Con-Con
 On Nov. 4, 2008, the question of whether to call a Constitutional Convention ("Con-Con") will be on the ballot in Illinois. The 1970 Illinois Constitution requires that the question be on the ballot every 20 years. In 1988, the referendum lost by a 3-1 ratio. Of the 3.6 million voters in the 1988 election, 75 percent voted against the convention.
The only way for the question to pass is if it receives 3/5 of the votes on the question or a majority of the votes cast in the election. If that happens, the governor and the General Assembly must decide how a convention will be structured and how to elect 118 delegates. The subject matter would not be limited. The cost of a convention would likely exceed $100 million. The members of the convention would decide how to submit their proposals to the voters. If a majority of the voters approve a proposal, it will pass.
The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Federation of Teachers is in opposition to a constitutional convention.
The IFT has joined the Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution (APIC) which consists of a broad cross-section of people and groups that includes teachers, farmers, worker’s and small business owners opposed to calling a constitutional convention. In the coming weeks and months, the IFT and CTU will be mobilizing our members, as well as their friends and families, to vote "no" on con con.
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