SPRINGFIELD - County clerks across Illinois are anxiously awaiting a decision that could throw their careful election plans into disarray.

A Cook County judge ruled Wednesday that a ballot question asking voters if they want a constitutional convention is unfair and that something must be done to fix it. Clarification on what it might mean outside of the Chicago area could come today.

On Thursday, with about a month until Election Day, local election officials were left wondering how the decision would affect the many thousands of ballots they've already printed.

Instead of asking simply whether voters want a convention that could revise the state's constitution, the lengthy wording approved by lawmakers mentions the same provision's failure in 1988.

Critics say that wording could sway people toward voting "no." The question is put to voters every 20 years.

Most election officials said they proceeded with business as usual, mailing out absentee ballots to members of the military and others. Because the decision was made in Cook County, it doesn't affect them, many said.

Macon County residents resumed in-person absentee voting Thursday after the process was suspended temporarily following the ruling.

Macon County Clerk Steve Bean said after consultation with attorneys at the Illinois State Board of Elections, he was proceeding with in-person absentee voting but will continue a stop on mailing absentee ballots requested by voters who cannot get to the polls Nov. 4.

A decision is expected today on what will be handed out with the absentee ballots to inform voters of the problems with the wording on the constitutional convention question, Bean said.

Attorneys on both sides are scheduled to meet with the judge and work out a solution to the wording today. It could mean anything from printing new ballots to special mailings or signs in voting booths.

Illinois Board of Elections Executive Director Daniel White said he hoped ballots don't have to be reprinted. Still, he said, any solution might cause problems.

"Certainly, it will cause some hardship for local officials," White said.

Logan County Clerk Sally Litterly said her office was going forward with the "same-old, same-old" for now, but said changes close to Election Day could be a potential "fiasco."

She wondered why critics wouldn't have challenged the ballot's language sooner, in a way that wouldn't cause a pre-election pinch.

"The delinquency, I don't understand that," Litterly said.

DeWitt County Clerk Jayne Usher said the court decision caused some brief panic, but after conferring with others, she is awaiting today's decision.

"We've been talking back and forth all morning," she said.

Voters are casting absentee ballots already. Voter registration ends Oct. 7, but a grace period exists for people who miss that day. Early voting begins Oct. 14, and Election Day is Nov. 4.

mike.riopell@lee.net|789-0865ÿ