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Senate cancels in-person February session days, will hold committee hearings online

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Illinois

* From John Patterson…

The Illinois Senate will move online for February, conducting virtual committee hearings in an effort to both maximize public health and safety and embrace available technology.

The early part of any new session is dominated by committee action. Given the ongoing pandemic, it makes sense to utilize the Senate’s remote committee meeting authority to continue doing the work of the people.

The Senate intends to move online for the Feb. 9-11 and 16-18 dates to conduct committee hearings and meetings.

We anticipate hearings being announced soon on key issues in addition to all standing committees having the opportunity to meet online during February.

All committee posting notices will be followed. They will be available on www.ilga.gov.

Meanwhile, the Senate President and staff continue reviewing workplace protocols with the goal of having a testing and safety process in place when in-person Senate floor action resumes.

The next scheduled session date is March 2.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:14 pm

Comments

beginning to think that March may also pose some challenges

Comment by NotRich Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:31 pm
Just more proof that our legislators are not essential workers.

Comment by Really Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:55 pm
I see that a Senate post is attracting the usual intense interest. /s

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:59 pm
@Really: If you haven’t seen how much legislators work on non-session days, you haven’t been paying attention.

And that’s true in the Senate as well. (/s)

Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:01 pm
===… is attracting the usual intense interest.===

lol.

Remote working is a new norm now, for worse and far worse, and making bad for the press to try to do the tasks they need to keep governing accountable.

I do find it tasty that the Senate made square this past May remote working… the House still lagging… maybe because they’re the House but likely “… a lot of others things”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:03 pm
a post about Oscar would do better

Comment by NotRich Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:17 pm
So unless I missed it, does anyone know how the Governor will handle issuing his State of the State and FY22 Budget addresses during February? I assume that due to pandemic they will be similar to his press conferences (but maybe with GA members in background screen on Zoom), but has anyone heard when he will give those speeches?

Comment by Essential State Employee Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:22 pm
That is great news….the less bills filed the better for IL business

Comment by Taxedoutwest Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:30 pm
In the olden days the General Assembly met every other year. They should go back to that.

Comment by Nagidam Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:53 pm
@NotRich well to state the obvious Oscar is cute and likable Senate not so much.

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 4:25 pm
“No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.”

Comment by Todd Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 6:40 pm

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