On March 30, the Illinois House Executive Committee passed HJR 32 with an 8-0 vote. The resolution calls for an Article V convention to propose amendments to limit the power, jurisdiction, and spending of the federal government. House leadership recognizes the importance of this resolution in providing long-term relief for Illinois’ status as a “donor state,” as well as its ability to address other problems connected to federal overreach.
The resolution has strong bipartisan support in the House: it is being carried by Representative Rob Martwick, joined by Chief Co-Sponsors Avery Bourne, Linda Chapa LaVia, constitutional attorney Peter Breen, and Assistant Majority Leader Mary Flowers. The resolution has dozens of co-sponsors, evenly divided between parties and including Assistant Majority Leader Dan Burke and Republican Caucus Chair Tom Demmer. Sen. Tom Cullerton plans to carry the resolution in the Senate.
Vickie Deppe, Illinois Legislative Liaison, explains the strong bipartisan support for the resolution:
Congress’ approval ratings haven’t seen 50% in well over a decade; and more than 2/3 of Americans agree with statements like, "Federal officials are more concerned with their own interests and those of their cronies than what’s best for the American people." This level of dissatisfaction isn’t just bigger than one political party or the other: it’s bigger than both of them combined. The Constitution gives states the right and responsibility to stand up for people when the federal government can’t or won’t. By passing this resolution through committee, Illinois has taken the first step towards joining with other states to impose reforms on Washington DC that we can’t expect Congress to take up any time soon.
This is a major milestone for Illinois and the nation. Illinois is the first blue state to pass the COS application through committee. But our work is not over yet! The more co-sponsors we have, the more likely we are to get our floor vote. Please use the link below to find out if your Representative has signed on to HJR 32, and, if necessary, contact their office in Springfield to ask them to become a co-sponsor.
