From left to right, Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia), Senate Democrats staff member Reena Tandon, and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) meet in the Senate Assignments Committee last month. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

For some, it’s the place former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) wielded his power and killed bills. But today’s leaders of the House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee agreed the committees perform a key duty that keeps business flowing in the General Assembly.