Letter to the Editor Published 1/26/09 Chicago Sun-Times
Given the current attention our state has received, Illinoisans must
begin pushing an agenda of political reform that would reach across
party lines.
First, we must change how redistricting is done. Our current process
leads inevitably to politicians picking their constituents instead of
the other way around. Iowa seems to have a good system for removing
many of the political charades from the process. Second, we must
institute term limits on all government offices.
State legislative offices were meant to be part-time jobs held by
concerned citizens. Instead, Illinois has become a place where
politicians are elected in perpetuity and then pass seats to their sons.
Finally, we must stop the practice of officials serving in different
capacities of government and receiving multiple pensions. An official
should only be allowed to draw one pension from one of his past
government jobs.
