Week in review: No state budget; legislation approved
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[June 11, 2007]
The first week of the General
Assembly's overtime session produced three meetings between the
governor and the four legislative leaders, but no state budget,
according to state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.
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Lawmakers are in "overtime" session after Gov. Rod Blagojevich,
Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan -- all
Chicago Democrats -- were unable to resolve differences and pass a
state budget by the May 31 budget deadline. Republicans joined the
budget talks for the first time during the week and emphasized that
they believe the state should adopt a budget that relies on existing
revenues and does not include new taxes, Bomke said. With the state
facing a major backlog of old bills, Republican senators have said
that meeting the state's current obligations should take priority
over creating massive new spending programs.
While the governor and legislative leaders met, rank and file
legislators concentrated on several measures that did not get
resolved before the May 31 deadline.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/11/images/ads/current/medicap%20bcard%20123006.png)
Some of the important legislation approved during the past week
included:
Veterans' assistance (Senate Bill 8) -- Creates the Veterans'
Home Nurses' Loan Repayment Act and requires the Illinois Student
Assistance Commission to establish a program to award grants of up
to $5,000 per year to nurses who commit to working in veterans homes
in Illinois. In addition it offers new counseling services for
veterans.
Teen drinking (Senate Bill 158) -- Puts the burden on parents to
control access to their own homes or any alcohol in their homes, to
prevent people under 21 from gaining access to alcohol in their
residence. Also makes it a felony if parents fail to prevent access
to alcohol and it results in bodily harm to any person.
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Truth in towing (Senate Bill 435) -- Requires that before towing a
vehicle, towing services in Cook and collar counties must provide
documentation of the estimated cost of the tow. Child pornography
(Senate Bill 697) -- Stiffens penalties for certain child
pornography offenses, including requiring forfeiture of property and
any proceeds acquired.
Campus newspapers (Senate Bill 729) -- Creates the College Campus
Press Act, to grant greater freedom from censorship for student
editors and reporters. Also protects faculty advisers from
retaliation.
Reckless homicide (House Bill 845) -- Increases the penalty for
cases of reckless homicide resulting in the death of a police
officer.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/11/images/ads/current/napa%20bca%20040707.png)
Dangerous dogs (House Bill 822) -- Defines "potentially dangerous
dog" and makes it easier to prove in court that a dog is dangerous.
Requires potentially dangerous dogs to be spayed or neutered and
microchipped.
No driving for gang members (House Bill 1080) -- Provides that if
a juvenile is found to have committed a gang-related offense, the
juvenile can have driving privileges denied until the age of 21 for
those who already have a driver's license and until age 18 for those
who have never had a license.
[Text from news release sent on
behalf of
Sen.
Larry Bomke and received
from Illinois
Senate Republican staff] |