* 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.
- NotRich - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:31 pm:
beginning to think that March may also pose some challenges
- Really - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:55 pm:
Just more proof that our legislators are not essential workers.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:59 pm:
I see that a Senate post is attracting the usual intense interest. /s
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:01 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)
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:03 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”
- NotRich - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:17 pm:
a post about Oscar would do better
- Essential State Employee - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:22 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?
- Taxedoutwest - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:30 pm:
That is great news….the less bills filed the better for IL business
- Nagidam - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:53 pm:
In the olden days the General Assembly met every other year. They should go back to that.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 4:25 pm:
@NotRich well to state the obvious Oscar is cute and likable Senate not so much.
- Todd - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 6:40 pm:
“No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.”