SB600 – an Important Tool for Reform

As I make my way across Illinois in my campaign for Governor, I’m often asked for my opinion of Senate Bill 600 (SB600). While there are a host of things that we need to do to repair what is broken in Illinois, SB600 has a definite part to play. It is an important tool for reforming not only the Republican Party, but Illinois as well.

For those unfamiliar with the details of SB600, it is a simple bill that would allow Republicans to elect their state party leadership (the Central Committee) by direct election. The current method uses a complex set of rules designed to give party insiders an advantage over the rank and file Republican voter. The result, directly and indirectly, has been a party leadership that is insulated, inward-looking, and ineffective.
This illustrates the real divide seen in the Illinois GOP. One part of the party wants reform. Another part of the party is content to operate under the system that has seen the state Republican Party remain a club of insiders who retain just enough power to re-arrange the deck chairs on a sinking (and shrinking) ship. If the Illinois Republican Party is to be resuscitated, it will have to be by new people, their new ideas, and new leadership. The “old guard” has had their turn, and failed.

The biggest benefit of returning to direct election by the voters is that it will allow for new people, and the new ideas that they might bring, to enter the arena of party leadership. While there is no guarantee that these new people will necessarily win every seat, the fact remains that the process will be more open than it is right now. This will help revive the Republican Party, which will, in turn, make Illinois a more politically dynamic state. One party rule, under the overly-powerful leaders of Illinois’ Democratic Machine, hasn’t served Illinois well.

SB600 is not revolutionary. In fact, up until Governor Thompson changed the rules, Republicans in Illinois chose the Central Committee through direct election. Thompson changed the process from one of direct election to insider selection, where precinct committeemen select township chairmen; township chairmen select county chairmen; county chairmen select the party's State Central Committee.
This current leadership has not produced results to the betterment of the party or the state. Instead of embracing new talent and new ideas, they more often attack them, spending more time fighting reformers than fighting for solutions for Illinois. The result is a Republican Party with no “farm team” to replace the retiring officials. This may result in a huge lost opportunity. At a time when reform resonates with voters and resurgence is possible, Republican leadership openly talks of abandoning those ideas. SB600 is not a cure-all for our ills. We Illinois Republicans also have to return to our principles, and find new people to effectively communicate how these enduring principles, combined with new ideas, will offer dramatic improvements over the current political leadership.

Let’s be honest. Illinois has been driven in to a ditch by Democrats, emboldened by a denuded Republican Party. SB600, which returns rank and file citizens to control, is a necessary part of the process of reforming Illinois. Electing new people in both parties is another. If you believe Illinois deserves better leadership, please consider stepping up and running for office, even that of your party’s State Central committeeperson. Whether you know it or not, Illinois needs you.

Adam Andrzejewski is a Republican Candidate for Governor
www.adamforillinois.com