Illinois Public Radio and WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky has the latest news from day two of the Springfield veto session on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm.
Rundown of Veto Session Day 2
Postponement of CPS Closure List
The House and Senate both passed similar versions of a bill that would allow CPS to postpone releasing a list of school closings until March 31. The House bill passed with an 84-28 vote. The Senate version passed 57-0.
Corporate Income Tax Disclosure
Senate President John Cullerton’s bill passed the Senate today in a narrow 30-27 vote. The measure states that publicly traded companies doing business in Illinois will have to disclose how much they pay in state income taxes. The measure now moves to the House.
Prison Budget Cuts
The Illinois Senate voted to restore money Gov. Pat Quinn cut from the budget to force prison closures. In a 35-16 vote, the Senate rejected cuts of $56 million to fund Tamms prison and Dwight women’s lockup. The measure now moves to the House. If approved, Quinn doesn’t have to put the money back into the prisons, but he can’t spend the cash on anything else.
Assault Weapons Ban No-Go
A proposed assault-weapons ban announced by Gov. Quinn in August has fizzled in the Senate in a 49-4 vote. The Senate voted to override Quinn’s amendatory veto that rewrote legislation to prohibit the sale or possession of semi-automatic rifles, high-capacity magazines and .50-caliber guns.
No-Raise Resolution
On Tuesday, the Illinois House Committee approved a resolution affirming that the state has no money available to give pay raises to unionized state employees in 2013. The measure passed the House in an 84-29 vote; that must also be approved by the Senate.
License Plate Fee Increase
The Senate passed legislation today that will require Illinois drivers to pay another $2 for their license plate stickers starting next year. The annual sticker cost for a regular license plate will now total $101. The fee increase is to support the Department of Natural Resources. The legislation was approved by the House last spring.
Senate Approves Flider and Smith Appointments
The Senate confirmed Gov. Pat Quinn’s controversial appointments of two Democratic former legislators. Former Rep. Bob Flider was approved on a 33-16 vote, and will serve as director of the state Department of Agriculture. Former Rep. Mike Smith was approved 33-21, and will become a member of the Educational Labor Relations Board.
Medical Marijuana Postponed
Rep. Lou Lang has decided to postpone his medical marijuana legislation until next week due to uncertainty that he will garner the 60 votes necessary for passage; 18 states have passed medical marijuana use.
Smoking Ban on New Hires for Cancer Treatment Centers Vetoed
In a 24-31 vote, the Senate upheld a veto of a bill that would allow Cancer Treatment Centers to discriminate against hiring smokers.
ComEd Rate Hikes
ComEd is pushing a resolution in the Senate that would raise rates for consumers by reversing the Illinois Commerce Commission’s $133 million rate reduction decision.
