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 The House sent the bill to the Democrat-controlled Senate in a
63-39 vote. Republicans blasted the measure as being one-sided and
falling far short of what the governor was seeking.
Republican Governor Bruce Rauner on Wednesday labeled the bill as
"phony reform." He also reiterated his insistence that lawmakers
address Illinois' structural problems through his so-called
turnaround agenda, which includes term limits, changes to workers'
compensation laws, and a local property tax freeze, before new
revenue would be on the table.
Democratic State Representative Jay Hoffman, the bill's sponsor,
said the measure was an attempt to find common ground on issues
surrounding compensation for injured workers.
Lance Trover, Rauner's spokesman, said House Speaker Michael
Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, and his members voted "to protect their
special interest allies."
"This proposal ignores the most important reforms we need for our
worker’s compensation system, and in another instance, could
actually undermine previous reform efforts," Trover said in a
statement.
Democrats in the House and Senate have passed a $36.3 billion
general funds budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that
depends on spending cuts and yet-to-be-identified new revenue.
Madigan told reporters on Thursday that Rauner is trying to
interject "extreme" non-budget items into the budget process.
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"If everybody is reasonable, an agreement can be reached," the
speaker said, adding that "functioning in the extreme" will not help
the process.
The legislature's spring session was scheduled to end on Sunday, but
members were called back into what could be an increasingly
acrimonious and lengthy overtime session. The House and Senate are
scheduled to be back in session on Tuesday.
(Reporting By Karen Pierog)
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