Yesterday, Free & Equal sent out an alert about Illinois HB 723, nicknamed the “Protect Incumbents Act.”

Today, we get word from Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News that Governor Pat Quinn has issued an “amendatory veto” on IL HB 723.

The bill would make it impossible for qualified parties to nominate someone by party meeting after the primary, unless a petition is submitted for each committee-nominated nominee. (Read Free & Equal’s Letter to Governor Quin Here)

While The Free & Equal Elections Foundation is pleased that this corrupt legislation, which specifically targets the Green Party of Illinois, will not be enacted into law any time soon, we will continue to be vigilant and ensure that the bill does not return to the Governor’s desk.

In his “amendatory veto,” Governor Quinn asks the legislature to add into the bill a call for a ballot question on next February’s primary ballot:

“Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to allow the people of Illinois to initiate, by petition, a binding referendum to adopt standards of ethical conduct for officials and employees of State government?”

Sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it?

But attaching this language will do nothing to ensure that Illinois voters have a real choice in who they send to Springfield. In fact, HB 723′s election code amendments would still severely limit the already sparse choices Illinois voters have in the voting booth.

If the voters of Illinois want to break free from the corruption that plagues their state, they must first place the blame where it belongs: squarely on the shoulders of the Two-Party duopoly and machine-style politics.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation commends Governor Quinn for at least delaying the implementation of HB 723 into law.

However, Free & Equal will not stand by silently if the bill should find its way back to the Governor’s desk, and we encourage the voters of Illinois to contact your legislators and urge them to vote down the “Protect Incumbents Act” once and for all.