HJRCA0007 is a proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that would impose term limits on both legislative and executive branch offices. For the General Assembly, it would bar a person from holding the office of State Senator, State Representative, or any combination of those offices for more than 20 years, while excluding service before the second Wednesday in January 2023 from the calculation. For the executive branch, it would prohibit an executive branch officer from serving more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
The amendment would be submitted to voters at a general election occurring at least six months after adoption of the resolution. If approved, it would take effect immediately upon being declared adopted, and the executive-branch term-limit provision would apply to elections beginning in 2026 and later. The measure would amend Article IV of the Illinois Constitution by adding a new Section 2.5 and would revise Article V, Section 2 to add the executive term-limit language.
Impact
If adopted, the proposal would change the Illinois Constitution rather than ordinary statute, creating enforceable term limits for state legislators and executive branch officers. It would affect eligibility for office in the Illinois House and Senate, and it would also alter the rules governing statewide executive offices covered by Article V. The measure would not directly amend existing statutes, but it would supersede any inconsistent constitutional or statutory practices regarding length of service in those offices.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a government-reform proposal aimed at limiting long tenure in office. There are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, so there is no documented debate history to indicate support or opposition in committee. The caption and structure suggest the sponsor is advancing the proposal as a term-limits amendment rather than a technical or budgetary change.
Contention
The main point of contention inherent in the proposal is the imposition of term limits themselves, especially the 20-year cap for legislators and the two-consecutive-term limit for executive officers. Supporters of term limits generally argue they promote turnover and reduce career incumbency, while opponents often argue they can remove experienced lawmakers and shift power toward unelected actors. The bill also includes a lookback rule excluding legislative service before January 2023, which could be debated as either a fair transition measure or a way to target current officeholders.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.