The question of term limits will get its day in court, in time for this fall’s election. An Illinois appellate court agreed to hear an expedited appeal from supporters of a term limits referendum, led by Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner.
The state Supreme Court ruled last week it would not hear an immediate appeal of a judge’s decision that the ballot measure was unconstitutional. Supporters asked for an expedited process because they are racing against the election calendar to get the question of term limits on this fall’s ballot. State election officials must approve the November ballot by August 22nd.
Monday, the Chicago-based First District Appellate Court issued its order to speed up the appeal in time for the election.
The ballot question asks voters if they want to limit legislators to eight years in office. Rauner says if his efforts toward term limits fail, he’ll find another way to make the political limitations happen, including getting people elected who support them. Governor Pat Quinn’s running mate, Paul Vallas, says he and the governor also support term limits…just not how Rauner wants to implement them. Vallas says Rauner’s plan reduces the number of State Senators while increasing the number of House members.
