AP: Illinois voters reject convention referendum

November 04, 2008 11:21 pm

— 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.