EAST DUNDEE – Illinois Review's piece earlier this week on how an Illinois Republican state senator led the way in the national popular vote movement drew the attention and re-energized State Rep. Allen Skillicorn's frustration over the whole topic.
The whole issue caused Skillicorn to introduce legislation to repeal Illinois' part in the national effort – and he has a few co-sponsors – State Reps. Brad Halbrook, Margo McDermed and Dan Caulkins.
"We have to be very concerned, and it's unfortunate an Illinois Republican led the way, as did the current Illinois Republican House Leader Jim Durkin, Skillicorn said."I tried to repeal it by sponsoring legislation to repeal Illinois' part in it."
The national popular vote movement would greatly slim the chances of Republicans winning the White House again – a reason why Democrat presidential contenders are all promising to work towards abolishing the electoral college if elected in 2020.
"Republicans haven't won the popular vote in a presidential election since 1988," Skillicorn said. "Hillary Clinton would have won in 2016." And Al Gore would have won in 2000 over George W. Bush.
But the good news, Skillicorn said, is the national conservative group Turning Point USA is getting behind this issue – teaming up with other groups to stop the constitutional amendment the effort would ultimately require.
The National Popular Vote bill will take effect when enacted into law by states possessing 270 electoral votes (a majority of the 538 electoral votes). It has been enacted into law in 16 jurisdictions possessing 196 electoral votes, including 4 small states (DE, HI, RI, VT), 8 medium-sized states (CO, CT, MD, MA, NJ, NM, OR, WA), 3 big states (CA, IL, NY), and the District of Columbia.
Chances are very slim that House Speaker Mike Madigan would ever allow Skillicorn's bill out of the House Rules Committee – nevertheless the sentiment is there.
And Skillicorn wanted Illinois Review readers to know he was aware and is trying.
