[Peace-discuss] Legislature is suppressing advisory referenda

[Karen Medina]

> >Amends the Township Code.

I feared something like this would happen eventually. 

-karen medina

---- Original message ----
>Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:46:19 -0500
>From: "C. G. Estabrook" <galliher at uiuc.edu>  
>Subject: [Peace-discuss] Legislature is suppressing advisory referenda  
>To: Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at anti-war.net>, Peace at lists.chambana.net
>
>Apparently our use of the township advisory referenda has attracted the 
>attention of the Illinois General Assembly, and they have decided that this 
>embarrassing expression of popular opinion has to be put down.
>
>The bill described below has been passed by the House (our local representatives 
>voting in favor) and sent to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Rules 
>committee. Its purpose is to make advisory referenda on national issues 
>impossible.
>
>Note inter alia that the "procedure for voters to add an agenda item" is by 
>written petition, well before the annual meeting: we could not add referenda to 
>the agenda as we have.  Moreover, "only objects relevant to powers granted to 
>electors may be set forth"  -- i.e, nothing on the war, impeachment, torture, etc.
>
>I suggest we publicize widely this disgusting bit of anti-democratic chicanery. 
>  Among other things, we need to get in touch with state senators and advise 
>groups like AWARE around the state to do the same thing. (And a little 
>excoriation of state reps might be in order, altho' it's after the fact; at 
>least we have another reason to vote against them when they come up for 
>re-election.) --CGE
>
>===========
>
>  Bill Status of HB5505  95th General Assembly
>  Short Description:  TWP CD-AGENDA/MEETINGS
>
>Synopsis As Introduced
>Amends the Township Code. Requires the township board to adopt an annual meeting 
>agenda at least 10 days before the meeting. Provides a procedure for voters to 
>add an agenda item. Items not on the agenda must be considered at a special 
>meeting. In the statement of a special meeting, only objects relevant to powers 
>granted to electors may be set forth. Limits special meetings to the business 
>embraced in the statement and notice. Sets quorum requirements for special 
>meetings. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
>
>	Links to full text, etc., at
>http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=5505&GAID=9&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=36820&SessionID=51&GA=95
>_______________________________________________
>Peace-discuss mailing list
>Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
>http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/peace-discuss