The ISBA Assembly voted June 28 to oppose calling for an Illinois Constitutional Convention in 2010. The question will be on the general election ballot in November.

If 60 percent of the electorate voting on the question, or a majority of all voters in the general election, vote “yes,” a convention would be convened.

With little debate, the Assembly ratified the action of the ISBA Board of Governors, which had taken a position on May 16 against holding a Constitutional Convention.

ISBA legislative affairs director James E. Covington III informed the Assembly that only two section councils – Elder Law and General Practice, Solo and Small Firm – had indicated support for a ConCon. Twenty section councils opposed it and five took no position.

The Committee on Legislation also opposed calling the convention, pointing out that the 1970 Constitution “is more than adequate and it can be tweaked by a constitutional amendment if necessary,” Covington reported.

Concerns also were voiced that special-interest groups could “hijack” a constitutional convention “to create all kinds of unforeseen mischief.”