The document discusses a proposed amendment to impose term limits on members of the Illinois General Assembly. It would limit politicians to 8 years of service and not count any time served before 2015. Supporters argue it would weaken powerful legislative leaders like Mike Madigan and create more turnover. However, critics say term limits would weaken the legislature by reducing experience and shifting power to unelected positions. The transition would also be confusing and conflictual over several sessions.

1. 1
Chris Mooney, Director
Institute of Government and Public Affairs
University of Illinois
Paul Simon Institute Term Limits Conference
Union League Club of Chicago
April 7, 2014

2.  Founded by Bruce Rauner and closely
associated with him
 http://termlimitsandreform.com/
2

3.  The legislative article only
 Signatures needed: 8% of votes cast in
previous gubernatorial election
 Collected between 24 and 6 months
prior to the general election
 3/5 of those voting on the amendment or
a majority of those voting in the election
 “Structural and procedural subjects”
3

4.  No person may serve more than eight years in the
General Assembly.
 No person may be elected or appointed as Senator
or Representative if upon completion of the term of
office that person will have been a member of the
General Assembly for more than eight years.
 Time served in the General Assembly before the
session beginning in January 2015 does not count
toward the eight-year service limitation.
4

5.  41 senators, 123 representatives (nested 3
to 1)
 2/3 vote in each chamber to override a
veto
5

6. 6

7. 7

8.  Get rid of Mike Madigan!
 Stop the rise of such powerful legislative
leaders in the future
 Greater turnover in the legislature
 Create a “citizen legislature”
8

9.  Get rid of Mike Madigan!
 Stop the rise of such powerful legislative
leaders in the future
 Greater turnover in the legislature
 Create a “citizen legislature”
9

10.  Weakens the legislature
 Less experience and policy knowledge
 Weaker organizational structure
 Shifts power to legislative
staff, lobbyists, and the executive branch
10

11.  Weakens the legislature
 Less experience and policy knowledge
 Weaker organizational structure
 Shifts power to legislative
staff, lobbyists, and the executive branch
11

12.  Confusing, painful, conflictual transition
period of several sessions
12

13.  For good or ill, expect radical change
13

14. 14
 Chris Mooney
 Institute of Government and Public
Affairs
 1007 W. Nevada St.
 Urbana, IL 61801
 Phone: 217-300-9000
 Email: cmoon1@uillinois.edu