Sure, we are a landlocked state... But that doesn't mean that the General Assembly cannot take action on an important global ocean issue. It looks like shark fin soup will soon be endangered in Illinois.
1
![]()
Results tagged “generalassembly”
Stopping The Soup: Illinois Close To Banning Shark Fin Trade
Three Times is Not a Charm for Cullerton’s Coal Push
You have to appreciate Senator Cullerton's stick-to-it-iveness... After a "clean coal" bill he championed was voted down for the third time, he pulled a slick parliamentary move this week to keep the proposal alive.
Quinn Vetos Coal-to-Gas Plants
Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a pair of bills that would have established two synthetic natural gas plants in Illinois, and forced utility ratepayers to pick up the tab through their heating bills. In his veto message, Quinn said “Inadequate consumer protections and high energy costs will not create jobs in Illinois. Until I am satisfied that consumers are protected, burdens are shared and jobs are created, I will not affix my signature to this bill.” The plants, which were proposed to have been built in downstate Jefferson County and on Chicago's Southeast side, would have manufactured synthetic natural gas from Illinois coal.
Pollution in Quinn's Pen? The Fight Over Leucadia on the Southeast Side
The State Legislature never seems to tire of boondoggles. And the General Assembly put together a doozy earlier this year when they found an expensive, highly-polluting solution to what seems like a non-existent problem that Illinois homeowners will get to pay for if the Governor signs a pair of bills on his desk. A diverse array of local groups have mounted a campaign to keep Quinn’s hand off the pen to sign bills floating a new dirty facility on the Southeast side.
Death Penalty Abolition One Step Closer to Quinn's Desk
The measure in Springfield to bring a halt to the Death Penalty in Illinois to yet another step to reality today, when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-4 in favor of getting rid of capital punishment. the move clears the way for a full vote on the bill in the Senate. Last week the House voted to abolish the death penalty. State Sen. Kwame Raoul, the bill's sponsor in the Senate, said that he feels there are enough votes for passage.
State To Miss Deadline For First Steps In Health Care Reform
The Sun-Times is reporting that Illinois will miss the July 1 deadline to establish a temporary high-risk health insurance pool for people with pre-existing conditions. State-run insurance pools are mandated under the sweeping health care reform package passed by congress earlier this year. The delay is due to the General Assembly's failure to pass the necessary legislation, which would enable the state to operate the federal program through the existing Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan. Illinois already has a contract in place with Blue Cross Blue Shield to insure high-risk enrollees but, according to Illinois Department of Insurance director Michael McRaith, the lack of appropriate legislation means that the state will go through the procurement process to find a plan administrator to insure people with pre-existing conditions, a process which could delay enrollment until August.
Plans to Eliminate Lt. Governor Advance in Springfield
House Speaker Michael Madigan's proposal to eliminate the office of Lt. Governor advanced in the Illinois House yesterday, as the House Executive Committee voted 8-0 to send the measure to the full house. Under Madigan's proposed amendment, the office would be eliminated by 2015. The bill must still clear the state Senate and be approved by voters in November. The Madigan Amendment would provide for the State Attorney General to assume the governor's seat in the event that the sitting governor quits, dies or is removed from office.
It Might Just Take an Act of Congress
The Cook County Board of Commissioners has tried, and failed, several times to roll back the 10.25 percent county-wide sales tax. Yesterday, the Illinois General Assembly took a swing at it, as well. The legislation, which would have cut the sales tax from 1.75 percent to .75 percent, fell six votes short of passage. "This is going to really devastate all aspects of our government," Todd Stroger, who personally went to Springfield to lobby for the tax hike told the Tribune . "I'm trying to make the case for the county."
State Budget: The Final Countdown
There's not a whole heck of a lot of time for state lawmakers. The current state budget expires in less than 36 hours (midnight tomorrow). While the failure to reach an agreement won't mean an instant shut-down of the state, it'll definitely be a pain in the ass, as the makeshift budget passed in May contains a whole helluva lot of cuts. The State House is back at work today but the State Senate doesn't kick back into gear tomorrow. At the center of the budget fracas has been Gov. Quinn's call for a higher income tax, yet members of Quinn's own party are questioning Quinn's consistency. Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero) told the Tribune, "What Quinn do you get on a given day? There hasn't been a consistent message from the governor's office in regards to solving the fiscal crisis. That also has the legislature acting inconsistently to find a solution." [Tribune, WBEZ]
Temporary Tax Hike Passes House Committee
House Democrats passed a 50 percent income tax hike for the next two years today, but final approval is still questionable as the General Assembly moves one day closer to adjourning.The proposal was a move to get lawmakers who didn't approve of Quinn's permanent hike on board. Although Quinn has previously said he wouldn't stand for a permanent hike, he "backed off that position today," the Chicago Tribune reports. Republicans say they "aren't ready" to vote for a tax hike, noting it also includes increasing the cigarette tax and decreasing public pension plan payments.
Medical Marijuana Bill Advances
Supporters of State Bill 1381, proposed to create the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, are exhaling in relief today as the bill narrowly passed the state senate yesterday by a vote of 30-28. According to the Tribune, details of the act:
Civil Union Bill Heads to the General Assembly
House Bill 2234, known as The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, made it out of committee this week, and will now go before the full General Assembly for debate. The bill, which guarantees some of the rights and responsibilities to persons in civil unions that are currently granted to persons in civil marriages, including hospital visitation, the right to make decisions about a partners medical care, and survivors benefits. The bill gives religious institutions the right not to solemnize civil unions. HB 2234 does not legalize gay marriage.
Daley Silent on Endorsement, Eyes Fed Money Instead
Mayor Daley yesterday said he would stay out of the crowded 5th Congressional District race, which once included more than 20 candidates competing for the seat formerly held by Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Daley’s decision sets the stage for what could be an open primary on March 3, which some critics say might be disastrous with such a smorgasbord of candidates (others say it’s just democracy in action). Without the influence of an endorsement from Daley, candidates for the seat must now charm Democratic ward committeemen if they want to be the party frontrunner. Committeemen, a shadowy bunch who are elected and often members of the Chicago City Council, are charged with deciding party candidates in various races. Alderman William Banks (36) told the Sun-Times that he hopes committeemen will meet sometime in the next two to three weeks for a vote. “Right now, it seems to be fairly fragmented. If it stays every man for himself, virtually anybody could get elected. . . . It could be somebody totally unrepresentative of the district. That would be unfortunate,” he said.
Gov's Arrest Derails Civil Unions Bill
The arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich yesterday may have been the final nail in the coffin for a proposal to allow civil unions between same-sex couples in Illinois. The bill, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Unions Act, was first introduced in February of 2007 and has been stalled in the state legislature ever since. Now time is running out for the bill, as the current General Assembly will expire at the end of the year. With only two remaining legislative days left, some political watchers say it is unlikely that the proposal will gain traction as the state tackles a growing budget crisis that so far includes a $2 billion deficit.
State Owes $4 Billion In Unpaid Bills
Looks like the Thompson Center may see a mob of repo-men pretty soon. That’s because Comptroller Dan Hynes says the state’s backlog of unpaid bills could reach $5 billion by next year. According to the AP, Hynes sent out a letter to state leaders warning them of the fiscal crisis. “While it may have become a habit to dismiss my pronouncements as more of the same gloom and doom, the consequences of inaction are very real and potentially catastrophic,” Hynes said in the statement. He cautioned lawmakers that if nothing is done, state troopers might not be able to buy gasoline and food suppliers to state prisons will stop making deliveries.
Illinois May Ban Gassing of Pets
Last week the Illinois State House of Representatives approved HB 4844, which bans the gassing of unwanted pets at animal shelters. While many shelters use lethal injection to put down unwanted pets, there are still some that use carbon monoxide to euthanize companion animals. The bill passed the House 110-0, with some members vocally supporting the legislation. "What's been happening with the animals is really a disgusting practice," said state Rep. Lou Lang.
Will Illinois Get a Gay Marriage Amendment?
Protect Marriage Illinois has been circulating petitions to put an advisory referendum on the ballot in Illinois this fall. If they succeed, voters would be asked if the General Assembly should propose an amendment to the state constitution that reads "To secure and preserve the benefits of marriage for our society and for future generations of children, the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as marriage or similar union for any purpose." PMI needs 270,000 signatures to get on the ballot, but Joetta Deutsch, a Taylorville resident and board member for Protect Marriage Illinois declined tell the Springfield Journal-Register how many signatures they have. She did say that they are shooting for 300,000, in case some signatures are invalidated. “If we don’t get it on the November ballot, we’ll start over again, probably in November,” she said.
Lawmaker Wants to Reconsider Tax Reform
Legislation allowing voters to decide if the state should double the income tax on people earning more than $250,000 a year failed 52 - 60 in the House last Thursday. 71 votes were needed. But the next day State Rep. Gary Hannig (D Litchfield) had a change of heart. “I would say that the concept was a good one, to try to raise some money by going to a more progressive tax system and asking people who have been blessed by success, to ask them to contribute more to the state of Illinois,” Hannig told the Springfield Journal Register. “It probably needed to be tweaked,” he said. “If we could improve the bill a little bit, I think I could vote for it.”
Is a Tax Revolt Brewing?
Probably not. But in the wake of a series of tax hikes levied around the Chicago area, it seems people are downright pissed.
Ald. Burnett Takes on the CTA, Sort Of
While the City Council was following up on the General Assembly's plan to "save" the CTA last week, 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett was advocating for minority businesses.
Potent Quotables From The Transit Crisis
The transit crisis has been averted--and let's raise our lunchtime glasses to toast that miracle, shall we? --but it brought out some of the weirdest and worst in our local politicians. These are some of our favorite lines from the entire, oh, what should we call it, bill-capade?
Electoral College Dropouts
Last week, both houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed a law that would enable Illinois to bypass the Electoral College in future presidential elections. The move came just before New Jersey Governor John S. Corzine signed similar legislation on Sunday that would eliminate New Jersey's participation in the Electoral College. The only other state to have passed a similar law is Maryland, which was the first state to take up the cause.
CTA Losing Respect? Whoda Thunk It?
Say it with us now: Wah, wah, wah! Keep taking the quick fix and you know what you get in the end? A deeper hole, an angry ridership and more time for G-Rod and Mike Madigan to plan their cage match. We know you’re in a fix, Hubie. It’s everywhere we look. And believe us, we want to help. What gets our goat is your caving to the measly handouts that the General Assembly dole out like so much loose change. Please, stick by your “no Band-Aids” propaganda. A little pain now will avoid a world of hurt later.
Throw the Bums Out
Mayor Daley chimed in on the question of recalling Blagojevich yesterday, telling the the Sun-Times that "calling [for] a recall is unnecessary. I may have differences with the governor. But I really believe his mind is on public transportation and on infrastructure as [much as] everyone else. You can't say just because I'm upset with [him about] an issue, two issues that you're gonna have a recall. I disagree with that." In case you missed...
2008 CTA Budget: "Doomsday" Was An Understatement
Ron Huberman et al handed down the proposed 2008 CTA budget, and it ain't pretty. At all.
Elsewhere in the Ist-a-verse
This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King and appreciated their beautiful skyline. Chicagoist knows what it's like to like the Cubs. But naming your kid Wrigley Fields? At least they can breathe a little easier now that Grossman's out...
The Frivolous Lawsuits of State Rep. Edward Acevedo
State Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago) is no stranger to the long green. As one of the chief sponsors of HB 429, the wine shipping bill that aims to bring Illinois in compliance with the 2005 Supreme Court ruling in Granholm v. Heald by limiting the ways consumers can obtain wines, Acevedo received $7,500 in campaign contributions from the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois for carrying their water. Turns out that Acevedo is also the litigious...
General Assembly to Take Another Crack at Saving the CTA
Just as a cloud of gloom began to set in over the carless masses of Chicago, a ray of hope came as the State Senate has been called into session on Monday. While a spokesman for Senate President Emil Jones would only say that the session would include discussion of the "transit issue," Sen. John Cullerton, (D-Chicago) told Crain's that he thinks they are going to take up the same bill that Julie Hamos was...
send a tip
tips@chicagoist.comsubscribe
Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Chicagoist.