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Illinois Senate Joins Push For U.S. Constitutional Convention

Howard Chandler Christy via Wikimedia Commons

The Illinois Senate has joined a push for a national constitutional convention. Organizers want to change the way political campaigns are financed.

The last time there was a Constitutional Convention, it was presided over by George Washington.

Another one could be called either by Congress, or by two-thirds of state legislatures. State Sen. Willie Delgado, a Democrat from Chicago, says Illinois can "lead the movement to save democracy in America."

"We need to amend this Constitution so we can reverse the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United," Delgado says. "That ruling gave corporations personhood and led to the creation of Super PACs, no only in Illinois, but throughout the nation."

This effort was launched at Occupy Wall Street in 2011.

Supporters say the Illinois Senate is just the third legislative body to approve the measure, and it now goes to the House.

To succeed, 34 state legislatures would have to pass similar resolutions.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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