Book excerpt: Is the case for an Illinois Constitutional Convention really IRONCLAD? On November 4th, 2008, Illinois citizens will have a once in a generationopportunity to call a Constitutional Convention. If you stop reading thisbook after this paragraph, please take away this singularly importantmessage. *If a better Illinois and a more honest government is your goal,then there is no intellectually sound reason to vote "No" on this ballotquestion. *This book will prove that proposition. The authors will take you through the trials and tribulations confrontingIllinois, while showing that our sad state of affairs is a direct result ofthe perhaps well-intentioned, but poorly written and conceived Constitutionof 1970. Unlike many who simply "curse the darkness" of Illinois politics, this bookshines the light of reason of how we got here and how to find our way back.The authors lay out a clear case that the problem with the IllinoisConstitution is directly related to its massive transfer of power *from* thecitizens *to* the Government. The book continues with numerous proposals that make for an elegant andconcise set of solutions to the problems that plague Illinois (complete withmodel language). The book has the audacity to propose that we return powerto the citizens of Illinois.Author Bio: *John C. A. Bambenek* is currently an academic professional at theUniversity of Illinois in Urbana specializing in information securityresearch particularly in the areas of identity theft, economic warfare,emerging threats and digital forensics. He is considered an expert in thefield and has been cited numerous times by the New York Times, WashingtonPost and other news media. He once was a guest on the Daily Show with JonStewart. Additionally, he is executive director of the Tumaini Foundation, anorganization that is assisting AIDS orphans and other disadvantaged childrenin Tanzania to get an education. It is his belief that education providesthe key to economic prosperity for both the individual and a society and isa strong advocate for effective education for youth. He co-founded the Illinois Citizens Coalition and wrote Illinois DeservesBetter because he believes the problems Illinois faces are systemic andproducts of a constitution that gives far too much power to the entrenchedinterests in the state. *Bruno Behrend* is a lifelong Illinois resident who grew up in Lake Forest,Illinois, graduated from University of Illinois (1983) with a degree inFinance and from IIT-Kent College of Law (1990). Mr. Behrend is currently the Host of the Extreme Wisdom Radio Show on WKRS -1220 AM broadcasting out of Waukegan, Illinois. The Extreme Wisdom Radioshow features cultural and political discussion ranging acrossinternational, national, state, and local issues, but with a strong focus onthe State of Illinois. The hallmark of the show is his commitment toallowing his callers to voice their views without rude interruption. The Extreme Wisdom Show is a great mix of college level content andconservative ideas, delivered in an intelligent, polite manner that mosttalk show hosts seem incapable of. He describes his show as a lesspretentious and less slanted NPR. Bruno has a background as a database consultant to the not-for-profitcommunity and was formerly Field Director for FreedomWorks in Illinois. He has abackground in various areas, including: Public Policy Research, DatabaseConsulting (specialist in fundraising software), Real Estate Investing andDevelopment, Corporate Seminar and Training Development. His current project is securing the passage of a referendum on theConstitutional Convention in November of 2008. Mr. Behrend is advocatingreforms that, if ratified, will return control of Illinois policy-making tothe citizens of Illinois by reducing the power of the dysfunctional Illinoispolitical class. To that end, Bruno has formed the Illinois Citizens Coalition, an IllinoisPolitical Action Committee dedicated to informing Illinois citizens aboutthe many positive opportunities offered by a Constitutional Convention.