 The Senate advanced the highly debated Senate Joint Resolution
Constitutional Amendment 121 to change the way legislative districts
are drawn in the state. The measure was opposed by Senate Republican
lawmakers who said that the redistricting amendment passed by the
Democrat supermajority does nothing to end the practice of
legislators drawing their own districts and further entrenches the
power of incumbents.
SJRCA 121, proposed by Democrats, would continue to allow
legislators to draw their own map, which can be passed by a simple
majority. If a redistricting plan fails to be approved by the
legislature and is signed into law by the governor, then legislators
have another opportunity to draw their own districts, with the House
and Senate each getting the opportunity to draw its own map. If
lawmakers still could not agree on how to gerrymander the state, a
"special master" would be appointed to draw the map. If the special
master's map is rejected by a court, legislators would then have yet
another opportunity to draw their own districts.
Bomke pointed out that the plan was designed to benefit
incumbents every step of the way, noting that under SJRCA 121 those
drawing the map could consider the residence of incumbents and
examine the voting history of potential constituents.
SJRCA 121 now proceeds to the Illinois House for consideration.
Also this week, bipartisan pension reform legislation,
Senate Bill 1946, was signed into law. The pension reforms will
not affect existing public employees, but beginning next year, new
employees will be subject to a higher retirement age, limits on
cost-of-living adjustments when they retire and an imposed ceiling
on the maximum earnings that can be counted toward their pensions.
Under the new measure, no additional benefits will accrue for
salaries above the current Social Security maximum level of $106,800
(inflation adjusted).
This bill was pushed through the General Assembly in a single day
when threats of a major credit downgrade motivated majority
Democrats and Gov. Pat Quinn to action. Under Quinn, the budget
deficit has increased to at least $13 billion, with close to $9
billion in unpaid bills continuing to add up. Failing to solve the
state's budget problems has contributed to the worst credit rating
in Illinois history.
[to top of second column]
 |
In other news this week, legislation was approved that will
enable the governor to grant up to $50 million in job creation tax
credits to small-business owners who hire new workers.
Senate Bill 1578 (PA 96-0888) allows employers a credit per
employee against their liability for employee withholding.
Businesses employing fewer than 50 workers would receive a $2,500
tax credit for each new employee hired between July 1, 2010, and
June 30, 2011. Workers must stay in the job for at least one year
and earn a minimum of $25,000. Proponents say that the measure could
stimulate up to 20,000 new jobs.
Finally, the Senate Elections Committee approved
House Bill 5820, which would require the governor and lieutenant
governor to run together as a team in the primary election. Though
critics say that the measure prevents voters from choosing the one
person they believe would be the best candidate for either one of
the offices, proponents say that marrying the positions would
require voters to choose a team of candidates they most believe in
-- and will promote additional examination of lieutenant governor
candidates.
The measure was introduced in response to the controversy
surrounding the 2010 Democrat primary election victory of Scott Lee
Cohen. Cohen's personal history was subjected to intense scrutiny
and criticism following his primary win, and he ultimately dropped
out of the race. However, the incident prompted some lawmakers to
pursue legislation that seeks to ensure lieutenant governor
candidates are more adequately vetted prior to an election. Some
people have proposed eliminating the position altogether.
[Text from
Sen.
Larry Bomke and Illinois
Senate Republican staff]
 |
