Tuesday, Dec. 10

 

Senate week in review

[DEC. 10, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD -- Changes in Illinois’ death penalty system, better tools to help law enforcement fight terrorism and the end of an era in Senate Republican leadership were the highlights of action this week as the Illinois Senate wrapped up its fall legislative session, according to Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone, R-Morton.

Stone said the death penalty reform package was prompted by the exoneration of 13 death row inmates in recent years. On Jan. 31, 2000, Gov. George Ryan declared a moratorium on death penalty executions until reforms could be implemented. The Senate conducted months of public hearings in communities throughout the state, and from those meetings have come meaningful recommendations for change that build on the reforms the Legislature and the Supreme Court have already put in place during the last several years.

House Bill 5657 authorizes the Supreme Court to reverse a death sentence, grants the right of DNA comparison analysis, prohibits the administration of the death penalty for people with mental retardation, clarifies that the Capital Crimes Litigation Act allows funding for forensic testing and requires clemency petitions to be filed within 30 days of the court’s order. The legislation also calls for local police commissions to report to the Illinois Training and Standards Board (the certification body for all Illinois police officers) administrative findings that a police officer committed perjury and codifies current case law requiring that a defendant’s request for forensic testing be allowed whenever such testing would significantly advance the claim of actual innocence, even if it would not by itself exonerate him or her. The bill is pending in the House of Representatives.

 

The Senate also voted to override the governor’s veto of anti-terrorism legislation approved this spring. During the summer, the governor made significant changes to House Bill 2058, including the removal of a death penalty provision. The Senate action this week rejects all of the governor’s changes and restores provisions making the act of terrorism an eligibility factor for the death penalty.

House Bill 2058 addresses such issues as charities collecting money for terrorist organizations, limiting the ability of nonresident aliens to acquire an FOID card, death penalty for terrorist acts, making terrorist threats, search warrants, and freezing assets and seizing property of terrorist organizations. The House also rejected the governor’s changes, so the legislation now becomes law.

 

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In other action, Senate President James "Pate" Philip of Wood Dale announced Dec. 4 he would not seek re-election as Republican leader. At the conclusion of his term next month, Philip will have served as the Senate Republican leader for nearly 22 years -- longer than any other Senate legislative leader of either party in Illinois history.

Replacing Philip is Assistant Senate Majority Leader Frank Watson of Greenville, who was selected during a membership meeting Dec. 5. Watson will lead the 26 members of the Republican caucus in the 93rd General Assembly when members are sworn into office on Jan. 8.

Watson was first elected to the state Senate in 1982, having served the four previous years in the House of Representatives. He has served as an assistant majority leader in the Senate since 1993.

Philip has been Senate president since 1993, following Republican election victories that resulted in a 32-seat majority in the upper chamber. Philip was first appointed senator on Sept. 2, 1981, following the death of David Shapiro. Philip completed the term and was elected for five additional two-year terms as Senate minority leader. On Jan. 13, 1993, Philip was elected Senate president and has been re-elected four times since then.

The Senate also approved:

Military relief fund (HB 2742) -- Creates an income tax checkoff for the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund to help the families of military personnel called to active duty because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Project Safe Child (HB 3717) -- Strengthens laws against child abduction, solicitation and pornography.

The Senate will reconvene Jan. 6 to finish the business of the 92nd General Assembly before the 93rd General Assembly convenes Jan. 8.

[News release]


Articles from the past week

Monday:

  • Gov. Ryan announces second Green Government Award winners

Saturday:

  • Toys for Tots collection started
    (
    Good Neighbors)

  • For those who missed being there
    More Christmas parade pictures

  • Illinois was very dry, cold for November and fall

Friday:

  • 'Let Your Spirits Soar' parade reaches for the star-studded sky

  • Good will strikes Logan County

Thursday:

  • CILCO requesting rate increase for next year

  • Reorganized county board performs first orders of business

  • Union filing suit to block lease that would give college control of Zeller site

Wednesday:

  • Fun on the square:
    Annual Christmas parade and other activities coming Thursday  (Tourism)

  • A delightful holiday tradition, Festival of Trees opens Thursday  (Tourism)

  • Balanced budget key to financial rating
    Moody's downgrades 'outlook' for state because of uncertainty

  • Governor seeks to help United Airlines

Tuesday:

  • No easy solutions for city's budget crunch

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