HJRCA0011 is a proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that would impose term limits on state legislators and certain executive branch officials. Specifically, it would bar a person from being elected to the office of State Senator, State Representative, or any single executive branch office for more than 20 total years in that office. The measure applies prior service toward the 20-year cap, meaning current and former service would count if the amendment were adopted.
The proposal also includes a grandfathering provision for incumbents: any officeholder serving at the time of adoption who has already reached the limit would be allowed to finish the term they are then serving. The amendment would be submitted to voters at a general election occurring at least six months after legislative adoption, so it would not take effect unless approved through the constitutional amendment process.
Impact
If adopted, the amendment would change the Illinois Constitution by adding a new term-limit provision for members of the General Assembly and revising the executive terms section to cap service in any single executive office at 20 years. It would affect eligibility for future elections, require counting prior service toward the limit, and potentially force long-serving officeholders out of future races once they reach the cap. The practical effect would be to alter succession and candidate eligibility rules for state legislative and executive offices, while preserving the ability of current officeholders to complete their existing terms.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of formal support or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a government-ethics or anti-incumbency reform proposal, which typically attracts support from term-limit advocates and skepticism from those who favor voter choice and institutional experience. The absence of recorded action suggests the bill’s reception in the available record cannot be assessed beyond its introduction.
Contention
The main point of contention is the policy choice to limit how long voters may reelect the same person to legislative or executive office. Supporters would likely view the 20-year cap as a way to promote turnover, reduce entrenchment, and open opportunities for new candidates, while opponents would likely argue that term limits can remove experienced lawmakers and constrain voters’ ability to keep effective officials in office. Another possible issue is the retroactive counting of service before adoption, which could immediately affect some current or former officeholders and make the proposal more restrictive than a purely prospective limit.
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.