Legislative Action
For all the pre-veto session hand-wringing and speculation that went on about what the lame-duck legislature would thrust upon the state, not much happened. Most notable for going nowhere was the much debated proposal to legalize a land-based Chicago casino gambling/entertainment complex; it was the subject of a special legislative session that ran concurrently with the veto session.
High-priced Las Vegas lobbyists notwithstanding (Gov. Jim Edgar had predicted they'd make the powerful medical industry's lobbyists look like the League of Women Voters), the Senate was unable to garner the votes necessary for legislation enabling the $2 billion private investment project that Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley had hoped would bring "jobs, jobs, jobs" to the city. Though Senate President Philip J. Rock (D-8, Oak Park) no doubt would have preferred ending his legislative career by delivering his share of votes needed to pass the measure, Senate Democrats weren't even able to pass it out of committee.
The issue almost definitely will be back this spring. But by the time the special session on casino gambling was adjourned December 2, talk had turned from a strictly land-based complex — vehemently opposed by Edgar — to the possibility of riverboat gambling on Lake Michigan in tandem with a land-based amusement park-type of attraction. Daley indicated in early December that he wasn't even remotely interested
in such a project, referring to its elements as "putt-putt boats" and "kiddie-land," but he may have to undergo a change of heart if he hopes to gain General Assembly support for any Chicago tourist attraction tied to gambling.
Edgar not only got to thumb his nose at Daley during the veto session but also at Cook County Board President (and prospective 1994 Democratic gubernatorial candidate) Richard J. Phelan. Senate Democrats were unable to join their House counterparts in overriding Edgar's veto of legislation that would have required the state to collect Cook County's new home-rule use tax on cars, trucks, boats and airplanes. If it were collected by the state, Cook County residents wouldn't be able to avoid the .75 percent tax by traveling outside the county to buy those goods — though consumers are supposed to report any such purchases to the county.
Edgar said the state would have faced a "bureaucratic nightmare" in collecting the tax, though Phelan said a worse situation has arisen out of the measure's demise: Because the county will collect less than the $57 million he expected from the new tax, he said, property owners in Cook County will have to forego the $50 million property tax abatement Phelan promised them. But Department of Revenue spokesman Mike Klemens called Phelan's $57 million estimate "absurd," saying the revenue department's analysis of the tax showed it would bring in about $26 million. Phelan intends to bring the issue up again this year; until then, he wants the tax collection to begin August 1 instead of January 1 as originally scheduled.
Illinois lawmakers became pioneers in the nation when they agreed to accept Edgar's amendatory veto of a measure guaranteeing homeless people the right to register and vote. Rep. Janice D. "Jan" Schakowsky (D-4, Evanston, reelected in the new 18th district) developed the legislation in response to eight homeless constituents who found it impossible to register to vote under previous state law, which required a permanent home as a condition of registration. They eventually won the right to vote by court decree when Cook County Clerk David Orr's office petitioned the state's attorney to grant them
voting rights. Democratic Atty. Gen. Roland W. Burris issued an advisory legal opinion in July 1992 that homeless people have a constitutional right to vote.
The new law allows homeless people to register at an address where they receive mail, which could be a church, a relative's home or a temporary homeless shelter. Homeless registrants will be required to provide the same identification as other voters, as well as evidence that they truly receive mail at the address they seek to use. Schakowsky estimated at least 7,000 homeless people will take advantage of their new right.
Another effort aimed at easing voter-registration restrictions didn't fare so well during the session. The so-called "motor voter" bill, which would have required the secretary of state to actively promote voter registration at driver's license facilities, narrowly failed to garner the necessary House votes to override Edgar's veto.
But the whole debate on the matter may become moot, said State Board of Elections Executive Director Ronald D. Michaelson. "With Bill Clinton in office, I think we're going to see national 'motor voter' laws within the next year or two," Michaelson said. "Federal law will only mandate 'motor voter' for federal elections every two years. But once it's mandatory for federal elec-
24/January 1993/Illinois Issues
Legislative Action
tions, it's going to be very difficult for states to say they're only going to have it in place for those elections. I think realistically they'll have to have it going on constantly."
Michaelson described current Illinois law as "passive motor-voter," meaning people may register to vote at driver's license facilities if they wish. "It's not an option that has to be presented to every person... but the option is there. There might be a sign up or something saying you can register."
On budget matters, by the time the veto session adjourned, lawmakers had voted to restore $8.5 million in cuts, including $1.8 million designated for the legislature itself and $2.5 million restored to the attorney general's office. Other restored funds will go toward human service programs, such as 15-cent hourly raises for some Department of Rehabilitation workers who provide in-home care for elderly and disabled people. After that particular restoration was narrowly approved, lame-duck Democratic Sen. Joyce Holmberg of Rockford predicted, "That's the last of that kind of stuff for four years," referring to the Republicans' winning the majority in the state Senate.
The governor and legislative leaders reached an agreement on restoring laid-off workers' jobs and averting further layoffs by transferring nearly $6 million from various accounts in the Department of Children and Family Services.They also agreed to return $9 million to local governments' tax increment finance (TIP) districts. The governor had vetoed $12 million allocated to the TIP districts, which municipal officials across the state were depending upon to meet financial commitments.
Among the matters left unresolved as the 87th General Assembly left Springfield in early December — aside from the legalization of casino gambling in Chicago — were proposed early retirement programs for teachers, state police and employees at state universities. Come January 13 the new 88th General Assembly takes over those and other issues, and speculation is centered on the possible new dynamics in the legislature:
The Republicans finally gained control of the Senate, and both chambers have the greatest turnover in members since the "long ballot" election of 1961. *
The Illinois Senate of the 88th General Assembly has nine members who are brand-new faces in the legislature. They are featured here with their photos and brief bios. Next month new members of the House will be featured.
The new 59-member Senate, elected in November and set to convene on January 13, has 16 members who served in the Illinois House of the 87th General Assembly, including three who served by appointment for more than a year in the Senate of the 87th General Assembly. Photos and bias for the former House members and for the 34 senators reelected in November are in the Illinois Blue Book published by the secretary of state.
(For maps of the new Illinois Senate districts, see Illinois Issues, November 1992, or Illinois Issues Roster of State Government Officials.)
9 brand-new lawmakers
Hendon says the top priorities in his district are economic development and finding creative approaches to resolving gang problems. He feels real solutions to the crime problems must involve gang members.
January 1993/Illinois Issues/25
Legislative Action
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. LaPaille is a member of the Democratic National Committee, serving on the Rules and By-Laws and Executive committees. He also serves as a member of the Maryville Academy Advisory Board and St. Laurence High School board.
LaPaille has received such awards as the Anti-Hate Crimes Award, the Zionist Organization Award and the Man of the Year Award by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. He was named by Grain's Chicago Business magazine as one of 40 influential people under age 40. He and his wife, Christine, are the parents of one son.
O'Malley says the most pressing issues in his district are property tax reform, revision of the school aid formula and developing a strong economic base that will provide good jobs for the district. He also believes Illinois must set goals to achieve a consistent standard of excellence in its schools that will earn them a place among the best in the country and adequately prepare the state's youngsters for the future.
Rauschenberger believes the most pressing issue in his district is restoring the financial health of Illinois government. "My constituents are frustrated and embarrassed by a government unable to budget itself and to pay its bills in a reasonable amount of time," he says. He believes the results of legislative races across Illinois show a desire for change and a recognition of the need for basic reform — perhaps even a redefinition of state government in Illinois.
James Pollock
Senate terms: While all 59 Illinois senators were elected in November, their terms are not the same. Each Senate district is assigned a combination of two-and four-year terms. New districts will be drawn for the 2002 election. Districts with elections in 1996 and1998: 1,4, 7,10,13,16,19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55 and 58. Districts with elections in 1994 and 1998: 2, 5, 8,11,14,17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 47, 50, 53, 56 and 59. Districts with elections 1996 and 2000: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54 and 57.
26/January 1993/Illinois Issues Legislative Action
3 new Senate members appointed in 87th
January 1993/Illinois Issues/27
|