Question of the day
Thursday, Jul 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Neal Earley at the Sun-Times…
In the crisis that followed the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, three members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus — Democratic state Representatives Kam Buckner, Curtis Tarver and Lamont Robinson — called on Madigan and state Senate President Don Harmon to call a special legislative session to address “the rebuilding of our communities and the pursuit of justice and equity.”
Madigan said he wasn’t ready to bring the Legislature back to Springfield, saying his caucus is still working on those bills internally.
“Once we come to some finality in terms of our discussion with the Illinois House Democratic Caucus then we’re going to move onto the remainder of the caucus,” Madigan said.
* The Question: Do you think the General Assembly will return to Springfield before the scheduled veto session in November? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
image polls
- fs - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:00 pm:
Not in an election year
- Annonin' - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:01 pm:
Unlikely because the group working on policing reforms seems a long way from the finish line
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
As long as COVID remains unchecked and gathering of large groups being a challenge, No they won’t come back before Veto.
I could see a joint legislative package being introduced by House and Senate members with the goal of moving it during Veto but they won’t be back before then.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:04 pm:
Echoing “fs” here. Little upside in an election year and COVID-19 provides all the cover needed.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:07 pm:
No. No benefit to the incumbents. Just downside possibilities because they are likely to make more voters mad than happy.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:07 pm:
voted “no” for three reasons: covid, covid, & covid
If not for covid, I would might vote “yes” because while everyone would be busy campaigning, short sessions in August during the Fair are not unheard of…especially if the issue is relevant and campaignable.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:13 pm:
Voted “No”
It’s an easy no too.
With the global pandemic, it’s easier to put off until November than move on anything else.
Any number of things are on hold.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:13 pm:
No chance
Democrats will be in the basement far away from prying questions like their nominee for President
- 1st Ward - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
Why did the G.A. not pass or include voting remotely as a standalone bill or in the budget back in May?
Voted no.
- thoughts matter - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:23 pm:
Yes, but not necessarily for this. More likely for the budget and the cuts that will have to be addressed earlier than
November.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:24 pm:
No. COVID + election is the reason why.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:41 pm:
No. Even if they’re ready legislatively, Madigan will be =very= leery of giving the GOP legislators / nutcase demonstrators free publicity before the election.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:43 pm:
No, too close to election and why give any GOP cover on votes in the swing districts? And why make any vulnerable Dem take a tough vote right now?
You know the eastern bloc won’t vote for reforms but why let Wehrli, Morrison, Stephens and others take votes that could help them with moderate voters?
- pool boy - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:46 pm:
Voted no,as has been said COVID and election year.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:48 pm:
GA auto default position is always avoidance and delay.
- charles in charge - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:51 pm:
I voted no. “Justice, equality, and rebuilding communities” could mean a lot of different things. I doubt there will be consensus among legislators anytime soon about what the actual priorities are.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 1:59 pm:
Voted no. When you’re doing nothing, you can’t be criticized, except for doing nothing, of course.
- Leslie K - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:11 pm:
I voted no. COVID, of course (as a real reason and as cover for not returning early), and the election counsel against it. Also, if the call is for a police reform package, even having it ready by November will be a heavy lift. The 2015 reforms took a full session. I don’t think this package will take that long, but it can’t (or at least shouldn’t) be done overnight either.
- revvedup - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:16 pm:
Voted “no”, because there appears to be no great interest in doing so before November, whether because of Covid-19, or a lack of consensus on enough work/bills to justify calling for a special session before then.
- Flapdoodle - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
No, for reasons others have mentioned:
1. Pandemic
2. Election year
3. Leadership preferences
- A Guy - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
No. The people in charge don’t want to.
- Leigh John-Ella - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:18 pm:
1st Ward, remote voting was in one of the bills and got voted down in the House. Springfield-area GOP claimed it would destroy Springfield’s economy even faster than the GOP policies.
It was then removed and the package passed the House.
- MG85 - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:22 pm:
No because there is a global pandemic.
- Etown - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 4:02 pm:
No
if it was going to happen it would have already. Perhaps some Chicago committee hearings but no return to SPI
- Random Lee - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 4:08 pm:
No. Art Turner tendered his resignation. That means Madigan didn’t need anything more until November.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 4:13 pm:
Nope …one word “member management”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 7:33 pm:
Madigan doesn’t care about voters of color. He takes their support for granted. Police, on the other hand, are an effective voting block.
- RDB - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 8:43 pm:
Just wait until after the November election. I’m sure the expected result will cause a lot of this talk to decline.
- Really - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 10:41 pm:
No chance. Too lazy.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 11:29 pm:
Another reason is that after the election they will know if the graduated tax amendment passes and they will have money to spend, or if they have to make drastic budget cuts.