VOTE SMART

There are several very important issues on the Illinois ballot that I urge you to look into before you vote.

1. The ballot initiative to redo the Illinois State Constitution.

You can find arguments Pro and Con here: http://www.lwvil.org/ConCon.asp

I am very much against it for several reasons.

1. The potential benefits are outweighed by the cost.

a. The State is already in a deficit why spend more on this?

b. Even if the State had the money, couldn’t we spend it in other places? Like education, poverty elimination programs…?

2. The issues that will be addressed by the “Con-Con” can be and in many cases are being addressed through legislation.

3. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

a. We have our problems, but they are not Constitutional ones!

2. Judicial appointments

In Illinois, our Judges are elected. It is a long and tedious process in the ballot box. As a former litigation paralegal, I can tell you that having qualified judges on the bench is critical to the judicial process. It is very important to know for whom you are voting! However, researching each individual judge would be impossible. Each year, I use the ISBA’s guide. You can find it here: http://www.isba.org/judicialevaluations/cook/12.asp

(This is for Evanston only. For the rest of Illinois, go here: http://www.isba.org/judicialevaluations/index.html

Print it out and take it into the voting booth with you!

Be an educated voter. The Tribune Website has a wonderful website that allows you to see the ballot before you go in the voting booth. Use it! You can find it on their homepage here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/