Con-con gets big new backing

Greg Hinz:

The campaign to reopen the Illinois Constitution has picked up some major new political and financial backing.

Cook County Assessor James Houlihan says he’s decided to urge voters to back a Nov. 4 ballot measure that would, if passed, require the state to convene a constitutional convention, or “con-con.”

Mr. Houlihan says he’s also decided to “bring some money to the table” on behalf of the so-far underfunded pro con-con side. The Cook County Democrat won’t say how much, but it could be substantial, since his political fund had $782,000 in the bank as of June 30, according to a disclosure report filed with the state Board of Elections.

In addition, pro forces have hired top political consultant Michael Noonan. The former aide to Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan managed the successful race of daughter Lisa Madigan for Illinois attorney general and ran the campaign of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.

State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, who heads Con-Con Yes, the group which retained Mr. Noonan, said the two are longtime associates and that Mr. Noonan will assist in getting the word out to voters that the time has come to consider changes in the state’s 40-year-old constitution.

Sounds good to me. Aside from Pat Quinn or John Fritchey and others the drive fro a con-con could use some allies.