Week in review: No state budget; legislation approved

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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]