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One dealt with orders of protection, requiring police confiscate
firearms in certain cases. Another dealt with more oversight of
the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Yet another would repeal the
requirement to publish legal name changes.
“We have concluded the work of the Senate of the 103rd General
Assembly,” said Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park. “I will
note with pride, we have done so with very little drama and
shortly after noon, not midnight.”
State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said the measures preparing
to head to the governor’s desk aren’t good for constituents.
“We’re not talking about helping people put food on their kids'
tables. We’re not talking about economic instability of this
state. We’re not talking about the debt crisis that’s looming.
You’re not talking about crime,” Rose said during a news
conference Monday. “Again, you’re not talking about food
prices.”
The total number of bills filed over the past two years was
nearly 10,000. Legislators approved about 500.
During House floor debate Tuesday, state Rep. Chris Miller,
R-Oakland, said all of this comes with a daily taxpayer cost.
“Just in per diem alone in the lame duck session as far as the
cost to the taxpayers, it’s a little over $120,000, give or
take,” Miller said.
Adding in the cost of mileage, staff, utilities and materials,
Miller said taxpayers are on the hook for hundreds of thousands
of dollars.
“This is irresponsible government at it’s finest,” Miller said.
The House continued its work into Tuesday evening before
adjourning “sine die.”
The 104th General Assembly that was elected in November will be
seated at noon Wednesday. |
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