44th District Weekly Update

From Sen. Bill Brady

[January 05, 2008] 

No progress made in capital transit stalemate

The New Year began with little progress made in resolving the state's capital development and mass transit stalemate.

Legislators were called back to the state Capitol Jan. 2 by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who convened yet another special session, intended to address the ongoing Chicago-area mass transit funding crisis. Though little was accomplished in the Senate, a House of Representatives committee met to discuss possible funding options before the Chicago Transit Authority's "doomsday" deadline on Jan. 20.

To date, it's estimated that Illinois taxpayers have paid more than $1 million for the 19 special sessions.

Sen. Brady asks governor to cancel special session

The governor must stop abusing his power to call the Illinois General Assembly into special legislative session without having any set agenda or proposals for legislators to review. As such, I asked him to cancel the special session called for 5 p.m. Wednesday. He did not respond. The governor had no real reason to call the special session in the first place. The legislative gridlock remains, and as it turned out, only one legislative leader was in Springfield.

It's 2008 and we have yet to fully resolve 2007's issues, including more funding for our schools. The beginning of a new year is a great time for resolutions, so our governor should resolve to show some real leadership and work with lawmakers in a spirit of cooperation and compromise to move the state forward.

Wednesday's special session -- the 19th -- sets the record for most special sessions called in one session, beating the 17 called in 2004, when Blagojevich was governor. These 36 special sessions now account for more than half of the 68 special sessions called since the current Illinois Constitution was adopted in 1970.

I am sponsoring a constitutional amendment to more clearly define a governor's power to call special session. The legislation would require a four-day notice and the physical presence of the governor in each chamber on the first day the special session is convened. An emergency special session can be called without the four-day notice, with approval of the four legislative leaders.

My legislation also states that if a chamber does not pass a bill or resolution responding to the stated purpose of the special session, or act on appointments during 15 consecutive special session days, then the special session is permanently adjourned.

New state laws

Though the new year may have started slowly in terms of transit funding, Jan. 1 was the effective date for more than 200 new state laws. While a statewide smoking ban and increased restrictions on teenage drivers were some of the more notable laws to take effect Jan. 1, additional legislation will impose stricter regulations on motorists driving under the influence and people who commit sexual crimes against children.

Motorists who are convicted of felony DUI will be required to use a vehicle ignition interlock, which will require the driver to blow into a breathalyzer device to test for intoxication before the vehicle will start (P.A. 95-0027). Under another new provision, methamphetamine is now recognized as an intoxicating substance, which carries the same penalties as those imposed on individuals convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (P.A. 95-0355). Additionally, there are now increased penalties for motorists who drive on a revoked license if their license was revoked for reckless homicide (P.A. 95-0377).

Sex offenders will face tougher penalties if they knowingly discuss sexual acts with a child via the Internet (P.A. 95-0143), and individuals who are convicted of possessing child pornography will be subject to higher fines (P.A. 95-0191). Finally, sex offenders are now prohibited from operating, managing, being employed or associating with county fairs where children younger than 18 are present (P.A. 95-0032).

For more information on these new laws and other laws that take effect in 2008, please visit www.senategop.state.il.us.

Lawmakers to return Jan. 9

The General Assembly is due back at the Statehouse on Jan. 9 and 10 to convene the second year of the 95th General Assembly.

[Text from file received from Sen. Bill Brady]