By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
Most Illinoisans will go to the voting booth this November thinking the Darren Bailey vs. J.B. Pritzker contest for governor is the only statewide race that really matters. But three other November 2022 votes matter a lot, too, a couple being arguably more consequential than the governor’s race.
First, there’s a referendum called Amendment 1 on the ballot that if approved, would enshrine Illinois’ union powers into the state constitution. The second vote will determine whether Republicans take control of the Supreme Court for the first time in decades. And the third, a vote for Attorney General, will have a major impact on the state’s approach to corruption and criminal justice.
1. The vote to enshrine union rights and powers into the Illinois Constitution
A proposition on the November ballot, called Amendment 1, would add a new constitutional amendment that would give unions a “fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively” for matters that include workers’ “economic welfare.” Not only does the amendment create the new right, but it also prohibits any new law that “interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively.”
The amendment has been marketed as a way to block any future attempt to pass private-sector Right-to-Work laws in Illinois, but its biggest impact would be to lock-in the state’s powerful collective bargaining rules for public sector unions in perpetuity.
The power to strike, to keep contract negotiations secret, to bargain over salaries, benefits, hours and more – all would effectively be enshrined in the constitution.
That’s why the fate of Amendment 1 is arguably more important than the governorship. If it passes, neither the governor nor the legislature will be able to pass labor reforms that reduce property taxes, restore parents’ rights in education or to reduce Illinois’ oppressive government footprint, regardless of who wins in November 2022.
2. The vote for two Supreme Court seats
Two of the seven seats on the Illinois Supreme Court are being contested this November and for the first time in decades, a Republican-controlled court is a possibility. The outcome is potentially bigger than the governorship given the 10-year terms of the justices and the possibility for new, precedent-setting court rulings.
The potential shakeup is the result of the state’s recent court redistricting, as well as the failure of Democrat Supreme Court Justice Thomas Killbride to retain his seat. Democrats currently hold the three justice positions tied to Chicago as well the one in the state’s third district.
The Second District has Republican Mark Curran running against Democrat Elizabeth Rochford and the Third District has Republican Michael Burke against Democrat Mary Kay O’Brien this November.
The potential change in the court matters given the state’s need for pension and retiree health insurance reform as well as the potential of abortion, criminal justice, election and environmental/energy cases that will likely crop up over the next several years.
Crime, in particular, will be important as the court will have to rule on the details of the SAFE-T Act – especially considering the act’s elimination of cash bail and the need to determine the criteria for detaining accused violent criminals.
3. The vote for Attorney General.
The vote for Attorney General will directly impact the fight against state political corruption and crime. Incumbent Kwame Raoul is running against attorney Tom DeVore, who has garnered attention in recent years for his challenges against Gov. Pritzker’s Covid mandates.
For decades, the office of the Attorney General has done little to fight corruption in Illinois. Instead, most corruption allegations and indictments have come the way of federal prosecutors. The prosecution of Ald. Ed Burke, House Speaker Mike Madigan, Gov. Blagojevich – and a host of recent Chicago aldermen and state lawmakers – all were the result of federal efforts.
In contrast, there are no notable examples of the state AG prioritizing corruption. The most recent example of inaction is lack of concern regarding the Jenny Thornley affair.
General crime is another issue. When local prosecutors like Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx won’t charge suspects, there is the potential for the state AG to step in and pursue charges. That, of course, would require changes in state law, but given the jump in Illinois crime, expect a push in that direction.
To learn more about the importance of this November’s elections, read the following:
- Illinois’ biggest fraud on its voters yet is coming in its official description of proposed constitutional amendment
- Amendment 1 Must Be Stopped. It’s Illinois Progressives’ Most Frightening Gambit
- Illinois lawmakers want to cement union powers into the state constitution
- Mark Curran’s qualifications, gut and judicial approach to law – Video
- Justice Burke On Balancing Constitutional Rights & Protections – Video
- The sickening laundry list of corruption cases in Illinois continues to grow. Is this any way to govern a state?
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
The big question…If Pritzker wins, amendment 1 passes, and the Illinois supreme court stays liberal, what will you do? Will you continue to let the state walk all over you or will you finally, finally leave? Do you have any self-respect?
I hear you but it’s not as easy as just leaving, if you have a good job and/or family here….
Yes, it’s not easy, but isn’t leading the way out of the best things you can do for your family?
It’s time for everyone that doesn’t want to leave but doesn’t want to stay to get behind https://newillinoisstate.org/ It won’t happen without support, but it’s our best chance to remove Cook county.
Cited by many as #1-3 most politically corrupt state in the country, and the IL AG has not touched political corruption for ie decades. Wonder why?
Lets see, #51 (behind PR) in fiscal condition (ie no money for nuthing except ie public pensions/salaries)—(even tho IL is rated #1-3 in overall tax burden)…. and #1-3 in political corruption (ie any tax revenue morsels that make it for services must get heavily “skimmed-off”) = brutal inadequate funding in IL for everything but public pensions/compensation….add decades long political malfeasance to the max….and its a real mess here.
The IL AG position is probably one of the weakest in the country. Its role seems to be laser-focused in private-sector shenanigans while ignoring the public sector.
A creative AG would be able to work under these rules and still address govt corruption in some way. Unfortunately, there are no creative thinkers in that office and, even if, they are too invested in the current combine system that got them their job in the first place.
Yes, I would not want to do anything to disrupt my multi-million dollar public pension at ie age 55……actually I would, but, clearly based on the facts, almost all IL politicians would not.
Gotta think the Devore/Kwame vote is going to be along the same lines as the Bailey/Pritzker vote. I don’t see moderate Dems crossing over because Kwame, unlike Foxx, has largely flown under the radar these past four years. Dems will vote the status quo.
The SOS and AG office were real opportunities this election cycle. Sadly, I don’t see the Republicans winning either. Alexi simply has too much name recognition and everyone has seemed to memory-hole all his banking shenanigans.
I just shake my head when I read that the Illinois Supreme Court is “Democrat controlled” or “Republican controlled,” as if it’s just another policy-making body. Unfortunately, thanks to campaign funding and coercion by Michael Madigan over so many years, that is the disappointing reputation earned by Illinois’ highest court. I pray the Court makeup changes in November and it can get back to ruling objectively.
It won’t change. The useless GOP chose a candidate who has demonstrated a contempt for the public and all non-liberals (non-psychocrats) not only across Illinois, but across the Nation.
Once the referendum ballot presentation is finalized, please share it.
The state manages to present things in some very misleading ways.
Thanks!
It is here. The arguments pro and con will not be on the ballot, just the text of it and the summary, which are at the bottom of this column: https://wirepoints.org/the-ultimate-fair-tax-treachery-is-the-ballot-itself-wirepoints/