Springfield News
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SEP 07, 2017
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SEP 05, 2017
Welcome back. After a too-brief reprieve, Petition Day is here again. Tuesday, Sept. 5 marks the first day 2018 campaigns can begin passing petitions, including: county clerk, treasurer, sheriff, assessor, commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, president of the Cook County Board, Cook County Board commissioners, and Cook County Board of Review commissioners. The first day to file nomination papers is Monday, Nov. 27, 2017.
Meanwhile, the wheels of government keep spinning. Even a day short, the week ahead is already packed with meetings. The following are some we’ll be keeping our eyes on.
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AUG 30, 2017
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AUG 29, 2017
All committees have been cancelled this morning and the Senate is scheduled to convene at 11:00 a.m. for what’s expected to be an easy concurrence on education funding reform shell bill SB1947. The chamber’s Republican negotiator on SB1, Sen. Jason Barickman, of Bloomington said in a release, “I look forward to passing this bipartisan proposal in the Senate and sending it to the Governor as soon as possible.”
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AUG 29, 2017
In a quiet moment on the Illinois House floor, Rep. Will Davis (right) shares his relief following the passage of SB1947. Photo: Rae Hodge, The Daily Line
After a long day of closed-door caucus meetings and chamber speeches, Rep. Will Davis (D-East Hazel Crest) leaned on the wooden lip of the Illinois House press pit and sighed with relief over a long-delayed win. -
AUG 28, 2017
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AUG 28, 2017
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AUG 27, 2017
UNLOCKEDThe week is going to start off with a bang. Here’s what you need in your calendar:- At 9:00 a.m. the House Revenue & Finance Committee will meet in Capitol room 122B for a subject matter hearing on bills that would ban the Sweetened Beverage Tax HB4082 and HB4083. The two are sponsored by Assistant Republican Leader Michael McAuliffe, of Chicago, and Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg), respectively. A lengthy roster of witnesses taking a swing at Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle’s new tax are expected, although bill movement is unlikely. It essentially gives legislators a chance to say, “I’m against the tax!” for election time.
- Dueling committees will open at 10:00 a.m. In Capitol room 115 the Human Services Committee will take up House Floor Amendment 1 to SB1707 from Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago). HFA1 remakes a bill enacting more stringent regulation of cannabis sales into a measure protecting existing Medicare managed care agreements obtained by Cook County. This comes on the heels of a recent announcement of the Rauner Administration cutting in half the number of eligible Medicare managed care organizations.
- Meanwhile, the Executive Committee will meet in Capitol room 118 at 10:00 a.m. to take up SB482. The measure is carried by Senate President John Cullerton and House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) and addresses 2017-2018 Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) restrictions in its Senate Amendment 1. The tax carve-outs were a late-added sticking point in Governor Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of SB1. The committee may run long; 11 other bills are on the agenda including a measure authorizing $10 billion in bonds.
- Some have speculated SB482 could ultimately be the vehicle to move newly negotiated school funding reform language, but keep an eye on HB3163. House Speaker Mike Madigan previously confirmed the House would advance the SB1 understudy in the event of a failed override of SB1’s veto.
The House chamber will convene at 11:00 a.m. And as Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Sycamore) noted last week, popcorn is no longer offered on the floor. You’ll need to bring your own. - At 9:00 a.m. the House Revenue & Finance Committee will meet in Capitol room 122B for a subject matter hearing on bills that would ban the Sweetened Beverage Tax HB4082 and HB4083. The two are sponsored by Assistant Republican Leader Michael McAuliffe, of Chicago, and Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg), respectively. A lengthy roster of witnesses taking a swing at Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle’s new tax are expected, although bill movement is unlikely. It essentially gives legislators a chance to say, “I’m against the tax!” for election time.
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AUG 25, 2017
UNLOCKEDThe good news finally broke Thursday afternoon that Republican and Democratic leadership reached a compromise on school funding.
While most details are still unknown, Mayor Rahm Emanuel suggested Chicago Public Schools will see a boost and a pension pick-up under the new agreement, though may face a property tax increase. Meanwhile, private schools could see a $75 million scholarship program. The Sun-Times reports the deal also includes mandate relief, but none of the collective bargaining requests offered by the Governor Bruce Rauner
From House and Senate GOP leaders: “This afternoon the four legislative leaders and the governor reached an agreement in principle on historic school funding reform. Language will be drafted and details of the agreement released once the drafts have been reviewed.”- Another staffing shakeup in Rauner’s office saw the departure of General Counsel Dennis Murashako and communications staffers Diana Rickert, Brittany Carl, and Laurel Patrick. Some are saying Chief of Staff Kristina Rasmussen could be out as well.
- The House Executive Committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 in room 118 of the Capitol. Currently, there are 11 bills on the agenda, one of which authorizes $10 billion in bonds. Another addresses PTELL limits.
- The House is expected to convene Monday at 4:30 p.m.
Full Agenda of the Board of Elections' Aug. 22 Meeting - Another staffing shakeup in Rauner’s office saw the departure of General Counsel Dennis Murashako and communications staffers Diana Rickert, Brittany Carl, and Laurel Patrick. Some are saying Chief of Staff Kristina Rasmussen could be out as well.
Gov. Bruce Rauner. Credit: Rae Hodge
