Voters to weigh in on everything from constitutional amendment to county board members
Hinsdale voters will elect officials and weigh in on a proposed amendment to the state constitution and various referendums when they head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8. Of course, they don’t need to wait until Nov. 8 to vote (see sidebar).
Constitutional amendment
The proposed constitutional amendment would add a new section to the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution that would guarantee workers the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively and to negotiate wages, hours and working conditions, and to promote their economic welfare and safety at work. The new amendment also would prohibit legislators from passing any new law that interferes with, negates or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety.
The measure is known as the “Workers’ Rights Amendment” by supporters and “Amendment 1” by opponents. It would require approval from 60 percent of voters in order to pass.
Lawmakers approved putting the measure on the ballot during the 2021 spring session. The resolution passed both chambers with bipartisan support: 49-7 in the Senate and 80-30 in the House.
Like any constitutional issue, however, there is considerable disagreement over what those words mean and what effects they would have if the amendment is adopted.
The proposal is supported by several large labor unions, but it has drawn opposition from groups such as the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.
For more information, read the story from Capitol News Illinois online at https://www.thehinsdalean.com.
DuPage County referendums
The DuPage County Board has placed three advisory referendums on the ballot.
1. Should the county research and invest in public electric vehicle fast charging stations to provide a revenue stream, promote a healthy environment and drive local economic development?
2. Should the county continue to assist qualifying small businesses by providing grants to support local economic development and job growth?
3. Should the county continue its support of mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention through the funding of local nonprofits?
Cook forest district referendum
The Cook County Forest Preserve District also has a referendum on the ballot, asking whether the forest district should increase its limiting tax rate by .025 percent for the purposes of conserving and restoring land to good health; protecting the water quality of rivers, lakes and streams; providing natural flood water storage; protecting wildlife habitat; protecting forests to improve air quality; improving and maintaining existing forest preserves and trails; and other items. The tax increase would bring in an estimated additional $43.4 million to the forest district in is expected to cost the owner of a $1 million home an additional $80 annually.
Candidates
Voters also will be asked to select candidates for a variety of federal, state and county offices (see sidebar for local races).
Almost all Hinsdaleans will be voting for one of three candidates in the 4th Congressional District. The congressional redistricting maps Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law in November shifted Hinsdale from the 5th and 6th Congressional Districts to the 4th. Hinsdale had been represented by Democrats Mike Quigley and Sean Casten. A few blocks at the southernmost edge of town are still part of the 6th Congressional District.
Election Day is now a state holiday, following the passage of Senate Bill 825, which means schools will be closed. The bill also had made curbside voting permanent and opened voting centers to all voters, regardless of the precinct in which they live.
Early voting for the Nov. 8 election is underway. See the sidebar for locations and hours.
