Illinois House Joint Resolution 19 calls for an Article V
Convention of States
to limit the scope, jurisdiction, and spending of the federal government
What is Article V?
Article V is the part of the United States Constitution that explains how the Constitution is amended. Many of our important rights and freedoms have been enshrined in our Constitution in the form of amendments, including our right to a speedy public trial before a jury of our peers, the abolition of slavery, and the right of women and minorities to vote. You can view the text of Article V and explore the rest of the Constitution at the National Constitution Center's website.
Most people know that Congress can draft amendments and send them to the states for ratification. What many people do not know is that the state legislatures have this authority, too. Because the 50 state legislatures don't meet together on a regular basis like Congress does, they need to call for a special meeting if they want to propose amendments to the Constitution. This meeting is called an Article V Convention. The way the states call for this meeting is by passing a special piece of legislation called a resolution. In some states, like Illinois and Maine, such a resolution must be passed with a 3/5 majority in both chambers of the state legislature. It does not require the Governor's signature. You can read the Illinois resolution here.
Read more about Article V in this Atlantic article by Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig here.
