Published: November 04, 2008 10:21 pm      

AP: Illinois voters reject convention referendum

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois won’t be holding a convention to re-examine the state constitution.

With 67 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, more than 67 percent of voters voted “no” on a referendum on the issue, while about 32 percent voted “yes.”

The referendum ballot asked voters whether Illinois should call a constitutional convention.

The statewide question is required every 20 years, and voters rejected the same question by a 3-1 margin in 1988.

Proponents say a constitutional convention would liberate Illinois from gridlocked state politics, while opponents argue a convention would result in unnecessary changes pushed by interest groups.

Last month, a judge ruled that wording on the ballot explaining the referendum was false and biased. He ordered poll workers to hand out notices.