Springfield News
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OCT 27, 2017
UNLOCKEDWith reports of sexual assault and harassment accumulating against lawmakers in the Capitol, the only office with the statutory authority to launch an investigation into the matter is the Illinois Legislative Inspector General. And that office has been empty since June 20, 2013.
In response to the mounting allegations, House Speaker Mike Madigan filed a bill which would require the august body to undergo a yearly “training program” reminding them not to sexually harass their colleagues and staff. Afterward, “proof of completion must be submitted to the applicable ethics officer” by each legislator. -
While the House spent ninety minutes addressing minor bills and resolutions, observers were left to wonder, “If this is what they’re addressing, why is the House meeting at all?” But the a promise was made after Wednesday’s session, when Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) told The Daily Line that he would bring up his bump stock ban measure, HB4117, as soon as legislative counsel could draw up improved language on trigger locks.
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The House convened at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and stayed in session for five and half hours, plowing through a stack of veto overrides. While Democrats obtained overrides for 12 of the 14 items up for consideration, two of Gov. Rauner’s most politically important vetoes managed to stand. Three other bills were considered and passed as part of regular business, but as veto sessions go, the items were relatively popular with little opposition.
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OCT 26, 2017
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Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) told The Daily Line Wednesday he plans to call his gun bill HB4117 Thursday morning. He says he is working on a floor amendment to improve the definition of “trigger modification device.”
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Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) gave a brief, powerful floor speech introducing her page, Karina Espinosa. What began as a run-of-the-mill brag about the graduate student drew the chamber to a hush as Hernandez explained that her page was a DACA student, first brought to the U.S. illegally as an 11-year-old by her mother. Now, because Espinosa has DACA status, she can complete graduate school. On Tuesday, speaking to the House Executive Committee, Hernandez said 40% of one of her district’s school districts, is made up of undocumented students.
- At 8:00 p.m. tonight Gov. Bruce Rauner will attend the Illinois Action for Children’s annual event, “A Night to Shine,” in the Grand Banking Hall of the Bridgeview Bank Building at 4753 N. Broadway, in Chicago.
- The House will reconvene at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Expectations are for a brief session so members can get home before the end of the day. The Senate has adjourned until Nov. 7.
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Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) told The Daily Line Wednesday he plans to call his gun bill HB4117 Thursday morning. He says he is working on a floor amendment to improve the definition of “trigger modification device.”
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OCT 25, 2017
Two heavily anticipated anti-soda tax bills, HB4082 and HB4083 from suburban Chicago legislators, were not called in the House Revenue and Finance Committee Tuesday. Instead the Committee unanimously passed a measure creating a task force to investigate Cook County’s property tax assessment methods. It then passed a measure giving a state tax break to homeowners affected by natural disasters, and conducted a subject matter hearing on whether or not to collect an aviation fuels tax. -
OCT 25, 2017
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OCT 24, 2017
