DeWitte: 'These constitutional amendments would finally put the citizens back in the driver’s seat'

Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) | Courtesy Photo

By Glenn Minnis

Jan 28, 2022

State Sen. Don DeWitte (R-West Dundee) is promoting the Voter Empowerment Project as legislation that puts power back in the hands of state voters.

“Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus are working to provide Illinois voters with a stronger voice in their state government, and I am proud to be a co-sponsor of a legislative package that puts the power back where it belongs, in the hands of the people of the state,” DeWitte said in a post to his website. “The aptly named 'Voter Empowerment Project' contains several constitutional amendments to allow citizens to take back control of their democracy and hold corrupt politicians accountable.”

The Voter Empowerment Project boasts four constitutional amendments, beginning with SJRCA 13, which calls for the creation of an independent redistricting commission comprised of 17 commissioners (seven Republicans, seven Democrats and three independents), chosen by the chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court and the most senior Supreme Court justice from the opposite party. The redistricting process would take place in 2023 and after every subsequent federal census.

Other amendments being proposed include allowing citizens to initiate up or down referendums on newly passed laws and permitting voters to recall elected officials including executive branch officers that include the speaker of the House, the president of the Senate, the auditor general, members of the General Assembly and local government officials.

“I believe the Voter Empowerment Project is a desperately needed step to undo years of elected officials ignoring the will of the people,” DeWitte said. “These constitutional amendments would finally put the citizens back in the driver’s seat to hold their elected officials, especially corrupt politicians, accountable.”

Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) agrees.

“Illinois is at a crossroads,” he told WLDS.com. “We can either allow the political elite to continue to govern and rule our state based on their own interests, and completely disregard the interests and concerns of all Illinoisans, or we can finally stand up and empower the voters to take back their government. At the end of the day, I believe in the people. I believe giving the people the ability to be able to act and stand up and tell us what they want to do and give them the ability to act upon it is the way that makes a democracy work.”