Constitutional amendment on ballot

Illinois voters will determine the fate of a proposed amendment to the state Constitution in November.

Compiled by staff

Published: Sep 18, 2012

The proposed amendment would require a three-fifths voter approval, or a super majority, to allow the enhancement of pensions by any government body, according to Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau director of state legislation. Currently, IFB does not have a position on the measure.

The Illinois General Assembly voted to put the proposal before voters before legislators adjourned the spring legislative session.

If approved by voters, the super-majority requirement would apply to the General Assembly and all local units of government and school districts.

The proposal specifically defines pension enhancements as adding to employees’ base pay with time off, bonuses, incentives, or other compensation. Salary or wage increases would not require the three-fifths approval.

State law requires every Illinois mailing address to receive a summary of the proposed amendment with pro and con information.

Approval of the proposed amendment will require a favorable vote by three-fifths of voters who cast a vote on the proposed amendment or a majority of those who vote in the election.

Illinois voters have approved few constitutional amendments, Semlow noted.

Since the 1970 Constitution became effective, more than 900 amendments have been proposed in the state legislature. Of those, only 16 were put on the ballot by lawmakers. A voter initiative put one proposal on the ballot.

Of the 17 proposed amendments put before voters, only 10 were ratified, according to Semlow.

Permalink: Click here

Comments

Read comments from others and share your own thoughts.

Please provide the answer to the following question:

=

Search this site:

Read More Stories

Memorial Day holiday closures

Grain markets will be closed Sunday night and Monday for Memorial Day (May 27th) and will re-open Monday night at 7:00pm CDT. Livestock futures will be closed Monday and resume trading Tuesday morning.

Read this story


Prairie Farms to host 75th anniversary events

Prairie Farms will be hosting events free to the public in honor of their 75th anniversary as well as June Dairy Month.

Read this story


NPPC fear COOL rule retaliation

The U.S. pork industry fears possible trade retaliation in two of its major markets, after USDA issued a final rule on country of origin meat labeling. We have a report from RFD Radio's Matt Kaye.

Read this story

Rainy week ahead for Illinois farmers

Ag groups seek to knock down EU barriers

Prairie Farms to host 75th anniversary events

Federal aid approved for 14 more counties

Memorial Day holiday closures

NPPC fear COOL rule retaliation

EPA proposes posting pesticide labels on the Internet

Cattle on feed numbers down 3%

Growers reminded to register for Prairie Bounty

Revenue committee discusses farmland assessment system

Top 50 Tags