Springfield… Illinois House Republican freshmen legislators came together in the Capitol today to express their disgust with the majority party’s lack of bipartisan efforts and childish tactics. The message delivered was there is no better time than now to call for term limits in Springfield.
An initiative to put a binding term limits referendum on the 2014 General Election ballot was denied by a three-judge Illinois Appellate Court last August, leaving legislative action as the best alternative. House Republicans point to the onset of gridlock so early into the new Governor’s first term along with the increasingly draconian House rules as evidence that term limits need immediate consideration.
“I commend my freshman colleagues for taking a stand in response to the partisan political atmosphere that has engulfed Springfield,” said Rep. Sosnowski. “The citizens of Illinois deserve the right to decide if they would like their General Assembly members to be subject to term limits. I have a bill filed and waiting to address term limits, House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA) 10.”
HJRCA 10, if approved by voters, would prohibit a person from holding the office of State Senator or State Representative or a combination of those offices for more than 20 years. In addition, executive branch officers would be prohibited from serving more than 2 consecutive terms in the same executive branch for the 2018 election and thereafter.
“The time for legislative term limits is here,” said Rep. Sosnowski. “Again, I fully support my caucus’ call for putting a Constitutional Amendment for term limits on the ballot, and believe whole-heartedly that our citizens will support the measure. The House Rules Committee should release my bill and let the voters decide.”