* Greg Bishop at the Center Square…
The Illinois House was unanimous on a resolution urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reopen the offices of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Those offices around the state have been closed to the public for more than a year.
House Resolution 226 from state Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, calls on IDES to make an immediate public commitment to reopen their public-access public employment offices to provide face-to-face help to Illinois residents. […]
While he supported the measure, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, urged Republicans to support the budget which could increase funding for IDES.
“Some representatives … think this state runs just on air, but it actually takes money, it actually takes revenue and I think that when we negotiate the budget and we have an opportunity to vote to make sure that our state agencies run, I urge you to support the budget and the revenue enhancements to make sure that we’re able to do that, or even closing some loopholes to make sure that it is possible to do exactly what this resolution calls for.”
The measure passed 108-0 with one voting present.
Facebook
Rep. Will Davis voted “Present.”
Gov. Pritzker has said IDES is putting together a timeline for reopening the offices.
- Sonny - Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 2:22 pm:
Guess the under staffed constituent service offices are really sick of dealing with the phone calls.
- Anyone Remember - Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 4:07 pm:
This isn’t a good idea. The GOP who are business owners need to realize that unlike “customer friendly” businesses they have experience with, government is generally in the business of telling people “no.” Is law enforcement going to set up metal detectors?
- CardsFan - Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 4:13 pm:
Best quote of the day “Some representatives think this state just runs on air, but it actually takes money”
- Advocate - Monday, May 31, 21 @ 11:43 am:
Isn’t a good idea? It’s a great idea. They should have been open already. Other state offices are. Yes it has to be funded. The Democrats are doing that in the budget. The R’s will oppose the budget thus be hypocritical but the majority is doing the right thing for people and for the state.