Senate week in review          Send a link to a friend

June 11-15

[June 16, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- As the General Assembly concluded its second full week of overtime session, state leaders appeared no closer to passing a balanced budget, according to state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield. However, in potentially good news for consumers, the week saw reports of "progress" in discussions on rising electric rates.

Continued political wrangling between Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, led to rising concern that Illinois could face a possible government shutdown if a budget isn't reached by July 1 -- the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Meanwhile, an Illinois House committee blocked a gaming plan proposed by the governor and the Senate president to pay for massive new state spending. In a 20-2 vote, the House Gaming Committee rejected House Bill 25, which would create four new Chicago area casinos and allow thousands of additional gaming positions at riverboats currently in operation. The measure had passed the Senate in a narrow 30-29 vote on May 31, with all Republican senators opposed to the massive gaming expansion.

Though budget negotiations continue to flounder, House Speaker Madigan reported "substantial progress" in discussions to address skyrocketing electric rates. According to published reports, the latest talks focused on $1 billion in relief to consumers who were hit hard by a spike in their electric bills this year.

Also during the week, Senate Republicans urged the governor to sign several key measures aimed at helping Illinois veterans. The legislation includes Senate Bill 8, which provides student financial aid to nurses working in state veterans homes, as an incentive to lure young medical professionals into working in the facilities. The measure also creates a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Program to assist mental health professionals in counseling veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Another veterans measure awaiting the governor's signature is Senate Bill 1438, giving armed services personnel 90 extra days to renew their driver's license while they are on active duty; House Bill 639, granting veterans who are state employees up to four days of leave per year to get treatment of a service-related injury; and House Bill 668, which increases fines for violating the Veterans Preference Act, a law seeking to give veterans greater opportunities in the work force.

All these measures have passed the General Assembly without opposition and now require the governor's approval to become law.

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News emerged during the week of plans to develop a major new resort in southwestern Illinois. While details of the plan are still tentative, the resort would likely be similar to one in Branson, Mo., a popular Midwestern tourist spot featuring scores of musical and entertainment venues. The resort's developer, the Glen Carbon-based Toney Watkins Co., has proposed swapping about 2,000 acres of land near Pinckneyville for a part of the nearby Pyramid State Park to construct the facility.

While the proposal is still in its infancy, supporters say the resort, if completed, could bring 2,500 jobs to the region.

Finally during the week, the Senate voted to concur with the House in the passage of numerous pieces of legislation, including:

Mental health (SB 234) -- Changes the criteria by which a person may be involuntarily committed by ensuring that signs of "dangerous conduct" may be considered rather than waiting until there is imminent threat of "serious physical harm."

Trusts (SB 531) -- Permits a trustee to terminate a trust if it has a market value of less than $100,000 and the costs of continuing the trust will substantially impair the purpose of the trust.

National Guard (SB 597) -- Creates a task force within the Department of Veterans' Affairs to study the health effects of exposure to hazardous materials, including depleted uranium.

Schooling (SB 853) -- Lowers the age requirement for applying to take the General Educational Development test from 18 to 17 years.

Real estate (SB 1619) -- Requires the state to publish notices on its purchase of real estate exceeding $25,000 in the Procurement Bulletin within seven days.

Iran investments (SB 1621) -- Seeks to curb state investments in companies with oil revenues or energy business operations in Iran.

[Text from news release sent on behalf of Sen. Larry Bomke by Illinois Senate Republican staff]

 

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