Mike Donahue: Kane Could Set Example for Term Limits

I support term limits.

Why? Because I have seen what term limits can do for good government. For the past several years I have been working closely with the Nebraska state legislature to promote legislation for wind power. Nebraska has term limits—two, four-year terms.

I have witnessed firsthand how representatives with term limits are truly citizen legislators with the best interests of their constituents in mind. They know they only have eight years, at most, to make their mark while in office, and then they are gone. So the concept of consolidating power to remain in power never enters into the equation. This, and this alone, makes a world of difference.

As an Illinois businessman, I can go to Lincoln, NE, stroll through the corridors of the state house, and pop in on any member, committee chairman, or even the speaker on occasion, without an appointment. If they are in and available, as they often are, they are happy to see me and talk about what I need to bring investment and jobs to their state. As an Illinois businessman, I can’t do this in Illinois; at least, not without a lobbyist or some insider connection.

The most common argument against term limits is that legislative bodies lose valuable members with knowledge and experience; and, as a result, this puts more power into the hands of bureaucrats and lobbyists. But, I have seen no evidence of this in Nebraska. The bureaucracy does what the legislature tells them to do, lest they lose their jobs. As for the lobbyists, they become eunuchs every four years when half of the incumbents disappear.

To me, there is no doubt that terms limits result in better, more accountable government. But we may never see term limits in Illinois due to the sucking inverted vortex we call an organization chart in Springfield. So long as our only term limit is human mortality, we seem doomed to remain trapped in the status quo.

So, what does this have to do with Kane County? People are looking for reform.  We want more accountability and transparency. So if we can’t get it in Springfield maybe we can do it here, if no other reason than to set an example.

Kane County often prides itself on being a leader in regional and state political issues such as land use, transportation, energy, open space, public health, etc. So, why should Kane not be a leader on term limits?

I can’t think of any good reason.