state legislative term limits: the good, the bad, and the ugly

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Chris Mooney, DirectorInstitute of Government and Public AffairsUniversity of Illinois

Paul Simon Institute Term Limits ConferenceUnion League Club of ChicagoApril 7, 2014

Founded by Bruce Rauner and closely associated with him

http://termlimitsandreform.com/

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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”

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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 counttoward the eight-year service limitation.

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41 senators, 123 representatives (nested 3 to 1)

2/3 vote in each chamber to override a veto

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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”

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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”

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Weakens the legislature Less experience and policy knowledge Weaker organizational structure Shifts power to legislative

staff, lobbyists, and the executive branch

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Weakens the legislature Less experience and policy knowledge Weaker organizational structure Shifts power to legislative

staff, lobbyists, and the executive branch

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Confusing, painful, conflictual transition period of several sessions

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For good or ill, expect radical change

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Chris Mooney Institute of Government and Public

Affairs 1007 W. Nevada St. Urbana, IL 61801

Phone: 217-300-9000 Email: cmoon1@uillinois.edu