Amendment gives power to the people

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Illinoisans who try to follow the activities of the Illinois General Assembly soon may find their heads spinning. There are so many twists and turns in the legislative process, so many characters and so many bills that it's like trying to follow the convoluted plot of the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. Since Gov. Blagojevich once described lawmakers as drunken sailors, perhaps the pirate analogy is appropriate. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. However, for residents serious about making sure the state treasury isn't plundered and their purses aren't robbed, keeping up with the Legislature's adventures is a frustrating experience. Particularly at this time of year - one day prior to the scheduled adjournment date - the people still don't know the final wording of significant legislation that will affect schools, health care, taxes, electrical rates and more.

That's because lawmakers can gut entire bills and substitute new language, then pass them quickly so the people don't know what's happened until after the fact. Heck, some lawmakers aren't even sure what they've voted on due to lack of time.

That's because there is no provision in the Illinois Constitution to protect the voice of citizens when it comes to real involvement in the legislative process. Backers of the "Show Us Amendment" want to change this.

We've written before about this proposal, put forth by the Illinois Democracy Project. Supporters want to see a constitutional amendment placed on the ballot in 2008 that would require the state House and Senate to allow a 21-day period of public review for all non-emergency legislation before it is put to a final vote.

Think of it. No more 11th-hour massive changes in legislation before powerful politicians ram it through the General Assembly. No more dazed lawmakers who've voted on so many bills in the session's final day that they can hardly see straight, let alone understand all that they've done.

The "Show Us Amendment" would require bills to be set aside, in their final form, for three full weeks of public scrutiny. Citizens, instead of being back-seat observers, would have plenty of time to read the bills, consider their impact and contact their representatives and senators to share their views.

Lawmakers, too, would benefit. They'd actually have time to review bills and cast informed votes.

Drunken sailors and wild plot twists may be fun to watch in a movie, but in real life people need time to sort it all out. The "Show Us Amendment" not only gives people time, it reduces the likelihood that legislative power will be abused.

Let the cry "Take what you can! Give nothin' back!" be heard only in pirate movies, not in the Legislature. Support the "Show Us Amendment."