South Central Reporter

State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia) applauded the unanimous advancement of Illinois Senate Joint Resolution 22 rescinding the state's 1863 support for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution aimed at preserving slavery in the South.

"I was humbled to see the Illinois Senate pass my resolution, SJR22, last night with a vote of 57-0," Plummer said on Facebook. "While an unusual piece of legislative activity in Springfield (It rescinds Illinois' June 2, 1863 adoption of the Corwin Amendment to the United States Constitution), I have been passionate about this effort and feel strongly that it rights a historical wrong that has long tarnished our state's reputation."

The Corwin Amendment was written by Ohio congressman Thomas Corwin, "in a futile attempt to prevent the secession of the slaveholding states," according to Encyclopedia.com.

It would have barred any future constitutional amendment authorizing Congress to "abolish or interfere with the domestic institutions" of any state. 

Only Illinois and Ohio ratified the amendment.

"I previously passed a very similar joint resolution 55-0 in 2019, but it died in the House due to some political shenanigans," Plummer said. "This year my friend, State Rep Maurice A. West II, agreed to sponsor it in the House and several other representatives are working hard to get it over the finish line. I want to thank them for their hard work."

Senate Joint Resolution 22 was filed on March 5. It arrived in the House of Representatives on April 6, with Rep. Maurice West II as the chief sponsor, and was adopted in the Senate on the same day. It was adopted in both Houses on April 8, according to TrackBill.