Should Illinois Legislative Leaders Be Subject to Term Limits?

John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network

A different kind of term limits proposal may be on the ballot in 2015.

Legislation being introduced by State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) would allow voters to weigh in on whether legislative leaders should be subject to term limits.  Franks believes the legislature will need some convincing to consider that kind of proposal.

“The only way to get term limits on leaders is to pass a law to do so, but none are willing, in my opinion, to…allow a bill to come forward,” Franks said. “So my suggestion is to have a referendum so if it’s overwhelming, which I think it will be, that they’ll be much more inclined to have a vote on this.”

If lawmakers pass the bill, the nonbinding referendum would be on ballots for the April 2015 municipal elections, which Franks says could use some help to increase voter turnout.