by CeCe Day Hill

Created on: April 11, 2009

Too many times, the one thing voters can depend upon in politics is mislaid power to gain a political or financial edge at the taxpayer's expense. The story behind the story of the defeat of SB 1666 proposed by Senator Larry K. Bomke in District 50, touches on more than the right to declare or not declare political affiliations based on the Illinois election code.

What may be considered a lesser piece of legislation becomes an important moral issue in finding the high ground and alternative avenues in order for political parties to find votes and solicit funds as other states have done. Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota have had open primary voting since the 1980s.

The impetus for Senator Bomke's proposal grew out of a survey response and a strong grass roots support by voters reluctant to participate in primary elections for justifiable reasons and self-protection. Constituents are offended by the idea of legislation that opens the door of the election process to the festering of political prejudices, ambitions and unyielding pressure to force-vote along party lines.

One has only to look at the areas of the State and its demographics in order to surmise whether a Senator might register a Yea or Nay vote and why. Senators from large city and urban areas, and strong union holds, like California, Illinois, New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania will come through with a "no" vote guaranteed.

The voting record on the third reading of SB 1666 came through party lines with 37 Nays, 17 Yeas and 5 NV by Senators Kirk Dillard, Randall Hultgren, Mike Jacobs, John Jones and Dan Rutherford.

The State of Illinois is the biggest employer in the southern part of the State. In the political arena the voter would be better served if they didn't have to worry about losing their jobs because of their political views or changes in administration. In a perfect world State employees should always be evaluated on their record of dependability, experience and the ability to do a good job. In the real world of high pressured politics that doesn't exist.

Businesses would be better off without transactions and contracts negatively influenced or rejected because of party associations. Journalists should be able to vote in primaries without having to worry whether what they do and what they believe will come back to haunt them. Voters should not have to declare anything in a primary in order to have their voice heard.

Though the bill is dead for this session, the need still exists to amend the election code by striking the current clauses in favor of an "open vote". In this time of economic and political turmoil this issue goes beyond the voting booth. With every simple piece of legislation, there is an opportunity for legislators to gain back the trust of their apathetic and angry constituents, polish up their badges of honor, redefine themselves and make sure they have not sold their souls other than into the service of the American public.

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