 In a travel advisory provided to Illinois News Network, the White House says “in
the final year of his second term, the President looks forward to addressing the
Illinois General Assembly on February 10th about what we can do, together, to
build a better politics — one that reflects our better selves.”
Governor Bruce Rauner welcomed the news saying in a statement he looks forward
to “hearing him speak about finding common ground between Republicans and
Democrats.” Rauner also said despite political differences the two share
passions for improving education, the benefits of term limits and redistricting
reform quote “for restoring good government.”
A spokesman for Speaker Michael Madigan simply said “The Speaker’s very
pleased,” but didn’t add anything further.
A statement from leading Republican Representative Jim Durkin says it’s not
common that a sitting President addresses a state legislature, something Durkin
quote “warmly welcomes.”
Durkin writes his hope “is that his remarks on building better politics will
echo loudly in the Illinois House chamber where politics, rather than substance,
has dominated this legislative session.”
Leading Senate Republican Christine Radogno said in a statement her caucus
welcomes the president on “what could be his first stop to push redistricting
reform.” Radogno says “we hope he will use this unique opportunity to convince
his Democrat colleagues of the need for true reform that lets voters choose
their representatives, not the other way around.”
Senate President John Cullerton said in a statement President Obama struck a
chord with this year’s State of the Union address when he called for more civil
politics. “Clearly, that’s what we need here,” Cullerton wrote. Cullerton’s
office says they sent a letter to President Obama last month suggesting the
visit.
President Obama served in the Illinois General Assembly as a state Senator
before going off to be a U.S. Senator for Illinois and later President of the
United States.
LEADERS DIFFER ON “BALANCED” APPROACH TO FIX BUDGET
While the leading House Democrat says there must be a balanced approach of some
cuts and higher taxes, Republicans says the balance must include political and
economic reforms.
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s State of the State speech from Governor Bruce
Rauner, Speaker Michael Madigan talked about taking a balanced approach of cuts,
including a bill to reduce state funds for Medicaid, and also tax increases.
“I’ve said consistently that what we need to do is some cuts in state spending,
such as Senate Bill 788, which would have reduced the medicaid program by $400
million. But at the same time I’ve said publicly that I would be prepared to
support more taxes on the wealthy. I’m prepared to do that but it has to be a
balanced approach.”
Leading Republican Senator Christine Radogno said there’s one thing missing in
Madigan’s balanced approach — reforms.
[to top of second column] |
“I didn’t hear one word about being willing to come together to talk
about the things that the governor’s talked about in terms of long
term reform for this state. What I saw once again is a brick wall.
I’m willing to do it as long as it doesn’t impact the status quo and
the people that keep me in office, whatsoever.”
Governor Bruce Rauner has said tax increases alone won’t fix the
state’s financial problems and is pushing for economic reforms he
says will make Illinois grow and increase the tax base.
Illinois is now seven full months into the fiscal year without a
balanced budget and is spending billions more tax dollars than it’s
expected to bring in.
IDPH: NO NEW CONDITIONS FOR PILOT PROGRAM
No new conditions for the state’s Medical Cannabis Pilot Program.
That’s the word from the Illinois Department of Public Health and
something one advocate says is unacceptable.
In a short statement from IDPH Friday afternoon, the Department said
no new debilitating medical conditions will be added. Caprice
Sweatt, founder and CEO of Medical Cannabis Outreach, says she feels
like she’s been punched in the stomach.
“If we are going to petition and put all this work and time into it
and doctors get involved in this and petition it. I mean, this takes
up people’s precious time and then to have the advisory board that
recommends it two times and then shot down completely? It’s just
completely unacceptable.”
Sweatt says she hopes veterans suffering from PTSD, one of the 8
conditions denied by IDPH, stand up to the governor and let their
concerns be heard.
NORML: STILL ANOTHER WAY TO EXPAND PROGRAM
Meanwhile the fight to approve additional conditions for the state’s
pilot program isn’t over yet.
While some medical cannabis advocates are upset at the news, Dan
Linn, executive director for the Illinois Chapter of the National
Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, says
there’s still a chance to expand the conditions patients can be
approved to get legal access to cannabis.
“I’m not as upset as I know some people are today because I know
that if enough people care and enough people contact their state
representatives and state senators that they will be able to get
theses conditions added to the legislative process and override any
vetoes that the governor may write on these bills.”
The governor already vetoed one measure that would have allowed for
PTSD to be added to the program. Meanwhile Linn says his concern is
ensuring patients have safe and legal access to cannabis to treat
their debilitating conditions and it’s tragic and inhumane to deny
veterans suffering from PTSD.
IDPH says the pilot program will continue with the 39 conditions and
diseases listed in the act.
Click here to respond to the editor about this article |
