EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Referendums on making Madison County a "sanctuary county" for gun owners and an advisory referendum on holding advisory referendums for bond sales are headed to the November ballot, while a property tax referendum has been tabled by the Madison County Board.
The sanctuary county referendum was approved 15-10 after extensive debate, including comments from several members of the public at the start of the meeting.
The referendum will read: "Shall Madison County become a sanctuary county for law abiding gun owners to protect them from unconstitutional gun laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly?"
The referendum on bond sales was approved 19-4, and reads: "Shall all units of government within Madison County first seek approval from the voters by advisory referendum before incurring any bond debt?"
A backdoor referendum usually takes the form of a bond issue approved by governments, which can be challenged by voters who can place it on the ballot if they obtain enough signatures on petitions.
Both are considered "non-binding" referendums, with supporters saying they are designed to "send a message" to someone — in the case of the sanctuary county question to the Illinois General Assembly, and to local governments on the bond question.
Much of the debate on both referendums centered on why the county is pushing non-binding referendums, and the wording of the referendums.
The third question considered was over placing a Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) referendum on the ballot.
PTELL limits property tax increases by capping the total dollar amount certain property taxes may increase from year to year based on the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent, whichever is lower. However, larger increases can be made with voter approval.
The Government Relations Committee had voted against approving the referendum, and the vote Wednesday was supposed to be on that action, but there was some confusion as to what a "yes" vote meant, and questions about why something that had been voted down in committee was being brought to the full board. After some discussion a motion to table the resolution on the referendum was approved.
The biggest debate, and some of the most pointed discussion, was over the sanctuary county resolution.
Five people spoke about the issue at the start of the meeting, one in favor and four against.
Mark Maggos, a Godfrey firearms instructor, stated his belief that gun-control supporters are concentrating on "assault rifles" but eventually want to take all guns.
He also noted that he owned three "assault rifles" but that they must be defective, because he has owned them for a total of 29,000 hours and none have been used in crime.
Of the four opponents, two made arguments specifically about gun crimes, while the others said the resolution was badly worded or raised more critical questions about the rule of law.
Sandra Loftus, of Granite City, cited legislation dealing with gun violence and mental illness, and asked that the question be tabled.
Nick Petrocelli, a 13-year-old Edwardsville resident, cited recent school shootings in his opposition.
"I for one would not like to be the next round of students to be killed," he said, asking how many more people need to be injured or killed before laws are enforced.
Two other opponents argued that the resolution was badly worded or sent the wrong message.
"Even symbolically it's a grave error," said Trish Oberweis. "We need order, we need laws and we need the rule of law."
During debate by County Board members, several of those arguments were brought up again.
Ann Gorman, D-Edwardsville, said she had "significant" concerns about both the wording of the resolution and the "Pandora's Box" it would open.
ruce Malone, D-Alton, said he did not want to take anybody's guns, but that the resolution raised questions about the separation of powers, saying it is the role of the courts to decide what is unconstitutional.
"It violates basic principles on what our country is founded on," he said.
At one point Gorman and Michael "Doc" Holliday, D-Alton, motioned to table the resolution, but that failed 13-12.
Proponents said the referendum both "sends a message" to the Illinois General Assembly and the northern part of the state, and gives people a chance to speak up on the matter.
In general, the question of gun control is split more along geographical lines than party lines, with most state politicians south of Chicago and the "collar counties" supporting gun rights.
"It will not carry the force of law," said Ray Wesley, R-Godfrey. "It will simply ask the people's opinion. I want to hear what the people have to say."
The vote was 15-10, mostly along party lines, with Democrats opposing the resolution. After the vote, a number of opponents in the audience yelled "shameful" before leaving.
During debate over the bonding referendum, Malone asked if it passed, would it require special elections for bond referendums, with Assistant Madison County State's Attorney Jeff Ezra noting that it was "non-binding."
Gorman said because it was an advisory referendum asking for advisory referendums, it accomplished nothing.
"Why are we doing this when we don't plan to do anything about it?" she said.
David Michael, R-Highland, noted that by looking at local results, it could give local government officials an idea about how voters in their specific area thought about backdoor referendums and bonds.
Gorman responded by saying "this is getting to be a joke" and later said it was being done for "political purposes."
Supporters disagreed.
"This is a message that needs to be sent," said Mick Madison, R-Bethalto. "They should have to get permission from the voters."
