We find it hard to believe that the state police is a model of racial harmony when more than 20 troopers felt strong enough about unfair treatment to bring the matter to lawmakers, and an attorney as well.
State lawmakers could face a record number of thorny political issues in the first half of 2021, including a battle over who should lead the Illinois House, decisions on billions of dollars in budget cuts and potential tax increases, and the drawing of new legislative district maps.
The machinations will take place under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to restrict the Illinois General Assembly’s ability to safely meet in-person and alongside efforts to pass legislation addressing racism and governmental corruption.
“It’s just shaping up as an incredibly difficult legislative session, with lots of pitfalls and land mines,” said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield. “This is going to be about as stressful a session of the General Assembly as you’ve ever seen. This is not going to be fun.”
By Benjamin Cox on January 2, 2021 at 9:05am
State lawmakers have several major issues to tackle in their upcoming lame duck session this week. The tenuous session could face a battle over who should lead the Illinois House, decisions on billions of dollars in budget cuts and potential tax increases, and the drawing of new legislative district maps. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office has indicated the session could last up to January 13
th – the day newly elected General Assembly members are scheduled to take office.
Potential bills dealing with criminal-justice reform, police accountability, education and workforce development, economic improvements and health care and human services could be introduced by the General Assembly’s Legislative Black Caucus.
State senators have been told to prepare for a similar schedule.
Jessica Basham, chief of staff for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, sent an email to House lawmakers and staff members Wednesday afternoon that suggested they make arrangements to be in Springfield for a session at the Bank of Springfield Center under substantially the same protocols as were followed in May 2020.
That’s the same location House members met in May when they convened, rather than at the Capitol, to allow for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone in the building was required to wear a mask.
The Illinois Senate has informed its members that a lame-duck session may be convened, but a formal decision hasn’t been made, according to John Patterson, spokesman for Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park.
State lawmakers could face a record number of thorny political issues in the first half of 2021, including a battle over who should lead the Illinois House, decisions on billions of dollars in budget cuts and potential tax increases, and the drawing of new legislative district maps.
The machinations will take place under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to restrict the Illinois General Assembly’s ability to safely meet in-person and alongside efforts to pass legislation addressing racism and governmental corruption.
“It’s just shaping up as an incredibly difficult legislative session, with lots of pitfalls and land mines,” said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield. “This is going to be about as stressful a session of the General Assembly as you’ve ever seen. This is not going to be fun.”