|
Looks like yet another five-month session in two weeks
Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Not to mention that the two chamber leaders no longer coordinate their respective schedules, which is a real pain for a lot of us. The Senate is in next week, but the House doesn’t return until the following week, when the Senate is off. In February, the Senate is in for three weeks, but the House is in for just two. The Senate comes back at the beginning of March for two weeks, then leaves for a week before returning. The House doesn’t convene in March until March 18, the day after primary day, and stays for two weeks. The two chambers are in session together that month for just one week. In the past, the legislature would take off for two weeks for the Passover/Easter holidays. The Senate is doing that, but the House is in for the second week of Passover. That kills a needed spring break for those folks who have to be there whenever either chamber meets. And then comes May. Both chambers are in for four straight weeks. * It ticks me off to no end that Senate President Harmon and House Speaker Welch can’t get on the same page for something as simple as this. /rant
|
 |
|
|
- Low Level Lobbyist - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 12:23 pm:
Two week Spring break seems like an issue that Speaker Peck can try to address with the leaders for the future.
- Fan - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 12:50 pm:
It’s just not that difficult to coordinate these schedules. The 2 Leaders should.
And it will make it more challenging for Members to have fundraisers back home since they have to also avoid the other Chambers Session dates.
- New Day - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 12:52 pm:
“It ticks me off to no end that Senate President Harmon and House Speaker Welch can’t get on the same page for something as simple as this.”
It’s clearly a metaphor for so much more.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 12:58 pm:
===And it will make it more challenging for Members to have fundraisers back home since they have to also avoid the other Chambers Session dates. ===
Good point, especially between now and the primary.
- Who else - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
==It’s clearly a metaphor for so much more.==
Truly.
- Linus - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 1:15 pm:
Taken together, the two chambers’ calendars form the dumbest and least workable schedule for any session that I can recall over the past three-plus decades.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 1:33 pm:
Generally little or nothing happens early in the election year session.
Not to mention that the two chamber leaders no longer coordinate their respective schedules, which is a real pain for a lot of us.
Schedules tend to revolve around the leaders’ children’s spring breaks. It will be easier to focus on 2nd reading in 2nd chamber.
Happy New Year.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 2:06 pm:
Springfield hotels and restaurants love it, I’m sure.
- AlabamaShake - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 2:19 pm:
By my count, there are 7 weeks in which only one chamber is in. This is absurd.
- Frida's Boss - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 2:53 pm:
It’s tough for lobbyists to have to add extra days down in Springfield when only having one chamber. sn
Even worse, though, for advocacy groups, association drive-down days, and the general public, is they now have shorter windows when both chambers are in session, or they have to make two separate trips.
It will be amusing to listen to legislators complain that there are too many people in the Capitol when, if they were present more often, they could actually spread it out.
- Bluewaters - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 3:12 pm:
Prayers to those scheduling a lobby day the week of April 13th and elected officials wanting to fundraise.
- Early Illinoisan - Wednesday, Jan 7, 26 @ 5:16 pm:
Well, apparently I will be an outlier here but I actually like it. If you are trying to effect change it allows for a more intense focus as opposed to bouncing back and forth between chambers on an hourly basis. Different deadlines, more focused attention. A tactical advantage. Just a contrary thought/viewpoint.