Guest columnist: Nov. 4 election features uncontested races, convention question

October 29, 2008
By Greg Bishop
Guest Columnist

November 4th is the day voters will choose the next President of the United States.  Many first time voters, however, will notice more than just the question of who they feel should be the next Commander in Chief. 

Alongside selecting President, Illinois voters will cast their approval or disapproval of a Constitutional Convention.  The Con Con is proposed every 20 years and was defeated in 1988.  This year's vote will decide if there will be a Convention to modify the Illinois Constitution in 2010. 

Supporters for the Convention feel it is necessary to modify the constitution in order to bring about recall of elected officials, term limits, and other important issues voters have been expressing for the past 20 years. 

The opposition believes the convention will cost close to $80 million, money Illinois does not have.  Another point made by the opposition; the Con Con, if approved, will be driven by special interest lobbyist who currently hold sway with legislatures.

If the Con Con is passed, Illinois voters will be able to vote up or down for the new Illinois Constitution.

Illinois' senior Senator Democrat Dick Durbin is up for reelection, being opposed by Republican Steve Sauerberg, Libertarian Larry Stafford, Green Party Kathy Cummings, and Constitution Party Chad Koppie.

Springfield is split-up by three congressional districts, 17th, 18th and 19th.  All US House Representatives are up for re-election.

17th Congressional District incumbent Democrat Phil Hare is opposed by a write in candidate, Mark Lioen.  Hare voted in favor of the controversial rescue plan.

The 18th Congressional District is being vacated by Republican Ray Lahood.  The candidates include Republican Aaron Schock, Democrat Colleen Callahan, Green Party Sheldon Schafer, and Constitution Party Bradley Carter.

19th Congressional District incumbent Republican John Shimkus faces opposition from Democrat Daniel Davis, and Green Party Troy Dennis.  John Shimkus voted against the recent controversial rescue plan for Wall Street which could guarantee his seat.

Central Illinois also will be voting for state Senators and Representatives.

Republican state senator incumbent Bill Brady is unopposed in the 44th district. Republican state senator incumbent Larry Bomke, who filed for impeachment of Governor Rod Blagojevich, is being opposed by Democrat John Devine in the 50th district.  

Incumbent state representative Republican Bill Mitchell is being unopposed in the 87th district.  Incumbent state representative Raymond Poe is being challenged by Democrat Kent DeLay in the 99th district.

There are also elections for Sangamon County Coroner, States Attorney, Recorder and Circuit Clerk.

Another proposal Sangamon County voters will face is the reduction of the Sangamon County Board.  Supporters of the proposal believe reducing the board from 29 to 15 members means "savings for taxpayers and more efficiency."

University of Illinois at Springfield Professor emeritus Kent Redfield opposes advisory referendum to shrink Sangamon County Board.  Redfield says it could affect minority points of view and make it more difficult for new candidates to run for a seat on the board. 

Rochester also has proposed in their village board to officially oppose this proposal.  Though there was some contention from one member.  Lisa Sandidge says though she opposes the proposal, she did not feel it was her place to tell voters how to vote.

Many first time voters may find themselves in an unexpected place; not being familiar with the names or initiative on the ballot.  New voting machines are also being used in Sangamon County.  For more information on elections in your area, visit http://www.co.sangamon.il.us/Election/2008Candidates.asp