ILLINOIS

Illinois's constitution DOES ALLOW FOR the proposal of constitutional amendment by petition! See a constitutional lawyer about the specifics of executing such a petition. It is advisable to organize around such a petition, to better ensure the acquisition of signatures from all of Illinois, and coordinate submission of the amendment.

Neither the general assembly nor the governor are empowered to overrule an amendment so proposed. There is nothing any politician can do to stop it going to ballot, and once it is approved by the people of Illinois, there is nothing any politician can do to stop it going into effect.

It is also plausible to gadfly assemblymen, run for a seat yourself, encourage another to do so, and/or organize a political party to coordinate voting efforts; however, in light of the above, all of this should be unnecessary and it is preferable to focus your efforts on that petition!

Once the amendment gets on the ballot, it is still imperative that you vote. Amendments require a majority of voters to approve it in an election. Do not forget this step.

Again, the needed elements are:

FIRST: A selected legislative branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of senate and representatives - This is the important element. If nothing else is done, this must be.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison control one seat

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

SECOND: A selected executive branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of governor, lieutenant-governor, et al.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison discharge all administrative duties

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

THIRD: A selected judicial branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of judges

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that judges are not permitted to step down

The astute will note I have highlighted one item. This is because, all else failing, a general assembly so composed will reasonably be expected to institute the rest of this form of government, both at the state level and at all levels controlled by state law. If the rest of this cannot be pushed through, that item alone will salvage Illinois from depredation, and if that item is not present, the rest of this is rather pointless. This is especially relevant to Illinois, as amendments by petition are limited to Article IV, the legislative branch. The executive and judicial modifications will have to be made by an Illinois citizen general assembly.

Important highlights of the Illinois constitution are thus:

Article IV empowers the legislative branch, and is the only article amendable by initiative.

Section 2 handles composition of the general assembly.

Section 4 handles the appointment of the general assembly.

Section 6 handles expulsion.

Section 14 handles impeachment. However, this relates to executive and judicial officers moreso than legislative officers, and ought be left until changes to those branches can be made.

These highlights aren't necessarily complete, and the services of a constitutional lawyer will serve you well.

On the county and city levels, and to the executive and judicial branches, similar changes will need to be made. These matters are handled by other parts of the constitution. I have faith that a citizen general assembly in Illinois will attend to this problem with due urgency and care.