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, " V ^ *• l2 , fn' ^ -II v. I ^ \»V , • • - v . 8, - PLAINDEALER ., OCT., 30, 1968 Understanding Con-Con *'• | S. WHY CHANGE THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION? fii the introductory article of this series, we made reference to the fact that the Illinois Constitution is basically unchanged since it was written in 1870. We also spoke of the difference between the federal constitution, which is flexible and responsive and uncomplicated, and the state constitution, which is full of details and outmoded provisions. It is not hard to explain why. The delegates to the 1870 Constitutional Convention that Wrote the Illinois Constitution were elected by the people to revise an earlier constitution made obsolete by the turn of history and the progress and growth of the state. It was their job to make needed changes and to look ahead and try to devise a document which would serve for some time. But those delegates never expected their constitution to serve for almost 100 years. They wrote into it ' the detail and the inethods they thought would work, and then they issued a ^statement calling on future generations to be creative and to make changes as necessary. Election laws of the day made amendment fairly easy. If the parties approved of an amendment, the party ballot carried jthe proposal, and a vote for the party was also a vote for the (amendment. When the Austra-, jlian ballot was introduced, parties no longer printed their own ballots, and constitutional amendments had to appear on separate ballots. Yes, the voters of the past 100 years ignored constitutional changes too. They failto vote on amendments. And [not voting is just like voting |NO because it takes a majority pass an amendment or two rds of those who actually the ballot. With a rapidly increasing ilation, it is ever more difficult to reach and inform the voter; so the number of non-votes increases and defeats needed amendments. This, then, is the first reason to call a convention -- to ^'/a,.b^tter jnethpd of recommending arid voting on chang- Hie Executive Article Amendments Suffrage Rightly, the Commission did not suggest changes but did raise a series of questions for a convention to consider. For example, the Commission asked whether a presidential election year is the best time to elect a governor; whether a change should be made to insure that governor and lieutenant governor would be from the same party; what controls the governor should exercise over other officials, such as the state auditor of public accounts; if the governor has the tools he needs to function as an administrator; what budgetary procedures belong in the constitution. Full and open discussion of these kinds of questions is overdue in Illinois. The Illinois Constitution has an unconstitutional apportionment section. We need a new, fair and1 operable system before the 1970 census figures are in. Illinois has state revenue problems now. We have about exhausted the resources of the taxes we can now levy. Local governments have financial complaints, and local government is barely mentioned in the Constitution! We should look at the voting age, and residency requirements, and administration ofelections. (Just to show how the Constitution has failed to keep 19--it doesn't allow women the vote?) Financing of education is a local problem of deep concern. HAVE A LANDLORD ? But the voter who wishes to cast an informed vote asks, j" Why change the Illinois Conptttution? What's wrong with it?»» It is notable that the many organizations who have banded together in support of a constitutional convention pretty well on what areas of the constitution need changing. They do not agree on the exact nature of the changes. This is good. This / means that many ideas will be i presented to the convention delegates for their study, sifting and sampling. Changes surviving all the debate and discussion are bound to be creative compromises. Now, which areas of the Constitution are going to get this going-over? The Constitution Study Commission of the state listed them briefly in its 1967 report, the one that helped convince the legislature of the need for a convention: Apportionment Legislative procedures and powers Revenue Local Government Then I have a home insurance policy for you! It offers the same kind of protection as a State Farm Homeowners policy . . . but it's tailored especially for people who rent. And it's the same good deal as State Farm auto insurance. You'll get all the worry-free protection you'll probably ever need for everything in your home. (Even coverage in case of lawsuits!) Call me now, for the whole story. firamrilte Samson 1212 N. Green St. McHenry, HI. Phone 385-1627 \ STATE FAIM INSUDANCI State Fan* Fir* and Casualty Company Horn Offic*: Bloomincton. Illinois Pr,636 |SOOO^ggBOgOCBOC>BS&OOOOfflOB,B& | for MEN When selecting a gift for him... . let us help! TlltQ&M-5*TORE for MEN 1235 N. Green St. McHenry, III. & Pfone 385-0047 Open Daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Fri. 'til 9 p.m. CLOSED ON SUNDAYS USE THE FREE GREEN STREET PARKING AREA I'ggjgggpoocx&ocx&o sag oopqoooooo ^gyf ' * ^ ' ' V! *• J?" Does the state do all it should? Can it be given the responsibility and the tools to do more? Can we allow ambitious communities to tax more if they want to? That five per cent limitation of bonriitig power only leads to duplication of services and multiplication of taxing districts. This list could go on and on - to include consideration of cumulative voting, a legislative veto, a review of those special laws for Chicago, an examination of the failure of the Constitution to cover the new problems of urbanization. But the important point to remember is that many areas of the Constitution need to be examined in light of today's needs. Changes will be recommended -- based on thorough knowledge of the problems and a commitment by the convention delegates to listen to many viewpoints, evaluate suggestions, weigh the alternatives and reach sensible conclusions. The 1870 Constitution was a pretty good one for its moment in history. However, history moves rapidly and the people of Illinois have not kept up. The constitutional convention is our change to catch-up. The convention may recommend relatively few changes, or it may redraft an entire document. But its deliberations will be interesting and public and its reasoning open and known. The problems are there. The solutions are ARE ENROLLED 1 AT BLACKBURN • . '/%* -'&J' ^ * ' ( v available. We in Ulinais can match problem with solution as we hold that constitutional convention and move toward acting our age and accepting ourresponsibilities. / WHY CHANGE THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION? Because it no longer serves the people of Illinois. Because the people have a method of change which guarantees proper attention to the problem. Because solutions are waiting in the wings. Because the problems will not go away; we must actively solve them. Because Illinois is a great state whose people deserve the best constitution thinking people and concerned citizens on and will produce. r --I----in--• iww News About Our Servicemen jnwunri f -- » -- i Army Private Charles D. Brown, 20, stih of Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Brown, 2312 Hatchery road, Spring Grove, completed a light-vehicle driver course at Ft. Jackson, S.C. Sept* 27. During the eight-week course he was trained in the operation and maintenance of military vehicles up to and including the two and one-half ton truck. Instruction was also given in the' operation of the internal combustion engine and chassis assembly. Two area students. Miss Tcqp cfcr A. Oonk of Ringwood and Miss Ann Marie Alexeyuk of Me- Henry, recently entered Blackburn college as members of flie freshmen class. They were among 256 new students registering this fall. They also began work under the student work, study program where; each student works thirteen hours each week at on-campus jobs in parttial payment of his education* Miss Oonk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Oonk,, 4301 Ringwood road, Ringwood, and Miss Alexeyuk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Alexeyuk, 1013 W. Wood street, McHenry, are both 1968 graduates of McHenry high school. BMM/V LAZARUS "Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to be free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, • tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door." The New Colossus: Inscription for the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor Buy U.S. Savings Bonds, new Freedom Shares Caseload For August Told'--~ There were increases in all public assiistance programs $x?* cept Blind Assistance duringr August, 1968. Harold O. Swank, director of the Illinois Department of Public Aid, said an increase of 5,704 brought the number of persons on the rolls to 495,657 in August, compared to 489,955 in July,. The current caseload is 47,077 above the August 1967,. total o£ .448,615 persjpns. The August,, 1968, caseloads included 371,872 persons on Assistance to the Aged, Blind or Disabled and Aid to Dependent Children receiving assistance and eligible for medical jare; 54,400 eligibly for Medical Assistance only;) 69,385 on General Assistance^ In July, there were 368,007 persons receiving assistance and eligible tor medical care; 53,916 eligible for Medical Assistance only and 68,032 on General Assistance. During August, 1967, 331,454 persons were receiving assistance and eligible for medical services; 51,291 were eligible for Medical Assistance only and 65,870 were on General Assistance. The county caseload is as follows: Total, all programs, 211, $29,413; aid to dependent children* 365, $22,070; blind assistance, 3, $349; disability assistance* 80, $11,799; and i assistance, 242, $4,189. CHARM SCHOOL The Lake Region YMCA will continue to accept registrations fir the fourth annual charm school course for high school gibrls until Monday, Nov. 4. The class will begin on Monday evening, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Crystal Lake Program crater at 65 N. Williams street Car four Mondays. Maybe - what labor unions really want is a five-day weekend; LOCAL STUDENTS^ ARE ENROLLED AT MEDICAL CENTER One hundred and sixty -eight new students from the state cif Illinois (excluding those front Chicago and its suburbs) have registered for the fall quarter at the University of Illinois Medical Center campus, Chi-' cago. Among them are Gerald W. Koepke, 2415 N. Club, arid Lance K. Parks, 5416 JSuclid, both McHenry. These students are enrolled in the university's4 Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, the Graduate College and the School qjf Associated Medical Sciences (medical art, medical records administration, medical technology, and occupational therapy). WATER SOFTENER SALES - SERVICE SAME DAY SERVICE ON MOST MAKES • Service * Cleaning Out •' Rppuir ^ Installation • Overhauling • Removal ^ H • Reronditlonlne • Rebuilding \1 I--ALL WORK GUARANTEED-rj| Phone: 385-5566 iUfgesK^ |fSINEE WATER SOFTENER SALES/SERVICE McHenry. 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