 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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