The State of the state

The Democrats are in control
FOR THE FIRST time since the administration of Gov. Henry Horner in the 1930's, the Democrats have a majority in both houses of the legislature. The Governor is a Democrat and so are three of the other five elected officers of the executive branch. In addition, six of the nine elected trustees of the University of Illinois are Democrats.

During the first half of his governorship, Dan Walker faced a legislature organized by the Republicans. Some appointments were turned down by the Senate, and, in the 1974 session, the legislature amended out of appropriation bills the funding for four agencies he considered vital — the Governor's Office of Human Resources, the Illinois Information Service, the Office of Collective Bargaining, and the Office of Special Investigations. In addition, the Republican Senate sought to shift appropriations for legal services in agencies under the Governor to Attorney General William J. Scott.

In the fall election campaign, the Governor publicly threw his support behind many of the Democratic legislative candidates. Although somecontend that Watergate, not Walker, was responsible for Republican defeats,nevertheless the Governor has claimed that the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are the result of his efforts.

The way is open for the Governor to advance a legislative program of his own. If he has aspirations for national office, he now has the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership ualities.

Last off-year election of this kind
Illinois returns in the November 5 general election mirrored those of the nation. Democratic party strength increased 20 percent in the U.S. House of Representatives. In Illinois, the gain of the Democrats in the Senate and House was close to this.

This election was the final off-year election in llinois in which the only State executive office at stake was that of Treasurer. In 1978, under the new Constitution, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer will be elected in the off-year between Presidential elections. In 1976, to make the change, these officers (except the Treasurer) will be elected for only two-year terms.

This shift in 1978 will bring Illinois into line with the 35 States, including California, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, that chose their governors in the 1974 elections. The argument for electing governors and other state officers in an off-year election is that this keeps state issues separate from national issues. Of course, it also gives the governors of states who are in the middle of four year terms a more secure position from which to seek a presidential nomination. Note: not all the governors elected November 5 will serve four-year terms; in some states the term for governor is still two years.

For more on the election, see the special report beginning on page 15.

Constitutional progress
Illinois is beginning its Fifth year with a new Constitution; the new charter was ratified by vote of the people on December 15, 1970. Important acts of implementation that have occurred since that time include:

— Creation of a four-member State Board of Elections (P.A. 78-918) which in 1974 supervised its first State election.

— Creation of the office of State

Comptroller to replace the Auditor of Public Accounts (P.A. 77-2807), and the inauguration of George W. Lindberg as the first Comptroller in January 1973.

— Creation of the office of Auditor General (P.A. 78-884) to be selected by a two-thirds vote of both houses of the legislature as a successor to the Auditor General appointed by the Governor. Robert G. Cronson, Chicago, was selected to fill that office (S.J.R. 77) adopted on June 20, 1974, by the Senate: 42 aye, 10 no, 6 present; and House: 138 aye, 9 no, and 17 present.

— Creation of a 17-member State Board of Education (P.A. 78-361), which has chosen Joseph M. Cronin as State Superintendent of Education to succeed the elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

— Amendment of the Governmental Ethics Act to require disclosure of economic interests by most State and local officials (P.A. 77-1806).

Amendment article tested
The Constitution's article dealing with amendments and revision was tested when a proposed amendment to modify the Governor's amendatory veto was submitted to the voters and defeated.

Another way of placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot is by popular petition, signed by a number of electors equal to at least eight percent of the total vote for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election.

Amendments of this kind are limited to structural and procedural subjects in the legislative article. A campaign to use this route to eliminate cumulative voting and to reduce the size of the House by one-third failed to secure sufficient signatures to qualify.

Illinois Issues/January 1975/3

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