Information regarding a possible Illinois constitutional convention in 1990, which would challenge state legislation, is available in a special issue of NIU’s Law Review.

Eleven essays in the volume detail issues that could be considered at the 1990 state convention, said Steve Brody, the book’s editor-in-chief. The volume is titled “The 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention: A Symposium on the 1988 Referendum Whether to Call an Illinois Constitutional Convention.”

Brody said, “The question of calling for a constitutional convention is an important one and, unless the General Assembly calls for a vote on the question earlier, one that is placed before the voters only every 20 years.”

Article XIV of the 1970 Illinois Constitution mandates that a a constitutional convention can be held every 20 years. On Nov. 8, a state constitutional convention referendum will be on the general election ballot.

Brody said, “Whether or not voters believe that a constitutional convention is necessary, they should make their choice based on information, not ignorance.”

Patrick Quinn, spokesman of Citizens for Constitutional Reform, said key convention issues might include the funding of Illinois’ educational system because the legislature has not increased funding for higher education.

“Any student or person qualified to attend (a university) should not be denied access on economic grounds,” Quinn said. “The convention is a way for college students to take direct action at the ballot boxes.”

Besides educational reforms, Quinn said his organization supports property tax reforms, improving utility regulations and tougher ethical standards for public officials.

Quinn said a constitutional convention would change the state legislation because voters, not the legislature, would make decisions.

Voters would elect two convention delegates from each of the 59 senate districts, he said, adding that voters also would be able to remove delegates who are doing a “lousy” job.

In the spring and summer of 1990, the delegates would propose constitutional amendments, which would be submitted to the voters for approval in a statewide referendum, Quinn said.

Robert Albritton, NIU associate professor of political science, said, “I’m not clear that there is a major problem with the Illinois constitution.

“One or two things need fixing, but that can be done under the current (Illinois) constitution. The convention would throw things up for grabs,” he said.

NIU political science professor Dwight King said, “I feel Illinois government is, relative to other states, quite chaotic. (Quinn’s) rationale makes sense to me. I think the present form of government is too expensive.”

A poll taken at a mid-September fair in Sandwich, Ill., showed “the majority of fair-goer respondents opposed a (Illinois) constitutional convention with 57 percent (1,236 people) voting no and 43 percent (928 people) voting yes.”