or the past four decades, Illinois has enjoyed one of the most forward-thinking and citizen-friendly state constitutions in America. Every 20 years, voters are asked whether a constitutional convention is needed to rewrite that document. The question will once again be on the ballot in November 2008.

A broad-based, bipartisan coalition of the most respected consumer, education, good government, business and labor organizations in the state has, along with foremost legal experts, formed the Alliance to Protect the Illinois Constitution to ask voters to reject a costly and unnecessary 2010 constitutional convention. Voters voted "no" on the same question 1988 by a 3-to-1 margin, and they should do so again in 2008.

Why shouldn't the constitution be changed, especially when so many people in Illinois feel the state is headed on the wrong track?

There are significant risks and financial costs with bringing together politicians, special interests and single-issue groups to turn our state's legal framework upside-down, and possibly erode strong protections on such issues as discrimination, basic freedoms and tax caps written into the constitution now. Specific articles of the constitution can already be amended at any time, and new provisions can also be added at any time.

There's no question the state faces real problems, but electing better representatives and leaders is the real answer. And, at a time when the state faces large budget deficits, the staggering cost of a convention should be put to better use.

ILLINOISANS SHOULD VOTE "NO" ON A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, BECAUSE THERE IS A BETTER WAY.