SPRINGFIELD - Over the last 40 years, lawmakers and voters have changed the Illinois Constitution 10 times to alter various tax and criminal issues. They've even reduced the number of state lawmakers serving in the General Assembly.

On Election Day, voters get to decide whether the state should convene a rare constitutional convention to review the basis for the law of the land.

State officials and prominent interest groups are split over whether a full-blown convention is a good idea. But both sides say recent displeasure among voters with the actions of state government may manifest itself in a call for a revised constitution.

Convention supporters say now is the perfect time for a review of the document because of gridlock among lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Specifically, the ballot's convention question could essentially become an approval poll of Blagojevich and the state's other top Democrats who control almost all aspects of state government.

But supporters looking for a change are up against a vast assortment of lobbying groups who appear ready to spend big money in the final week before the election to prevent a convention.

The Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution has raised more than $1 million since July to urge voters to vote "no" on the convention question.

Among the groups in the alliance is the Bloomington-based Illinois Farm Bureau. They argue the constitution can be changed without a special convention. The opponents say the event could cost up to $80 million at a time when the state budget is hurting and recession fears grow.

Also, farm bureau spokesman Kevin Semlow argues, the convention might end up being controlled by the same people who now run government, making change unlikely.

"The constitution is not what is broken," Semlow said.

Convention supporters argue just the opposite. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said the last convention 40 years ago didn't include many lawmakers. And while the General Assembly and voters can amend the constitution without a big convention, Quinn says they likely won't.

"The legislature and the governor alone aren't going to reform themselves," he said.

For his part, Blagojevich is mostly staying on the sidelines of the debate, with an aide saying the governor is "leaning toward no."

For the convention to be approved, either 60 percent of those voting on the question or a majority of all voters need to approve. After that, the General Assembly would set rules for the convention, including how delegates would be elected. After the convention ends, voters would have to approve any changes.

Unlike a lot of issues in Springfield, this one doesn't appear to be split among Democrats and Republicans. Officials from both parties are both for and against a convention.

Instead, there appear to be other issues.

For example, state Rep. Mike Bost, a Murphysboro Republican, says he opposes a convention because once delegates are elected, too much power will be concentrated in the hands of people from the Chicago area. He said they wouldn't understand the issues of central and Southern Illinois.

"It's just that they'd be uninformed," he said.

The question comes up every 20 years, and in 1988, the proposal was defeated handily.

This year, the very language on the ballot has become controversial. Instead of asking about a constitutional convention as a simple yes or no question, the ballot language reminds voters that the same proposal failed two decades ago.

Convention supporters argued that language would unfairly influence people to vote "no."

Supporters' hopes for a convention vary widely. Some want the constitution changed so the state would be more responsible for education funding. Others want to see an amendment allowing voters to recall state officials, such as the governor, in the middle of their terms.

mike.riopell@lee.net / (217) 789-0865

HOW IT WORKS

On Election Day, voters will be asked if Illinois should convene a rare convention to revise the state constitution. The question is put to voters every 20 years.

To approve it, 60 percent of those who voted on the question, or a majority of those voting in the election, would have to vote "yes."

If it succeeds, the General Assembly begins setting the rules. They'd have to decide how much to spend on it and when delegates to the convention would be elected. Two delegates would be chosen from each Illinois Senate district.

The convention itself could last months. After it's over, voters would have to approve any changes delegates propose.