* 1:56 pm - The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear a direct appeal of Sangamon County Judge Stephen Nardulli’s ruling that free health insurance is not a pension benefit and is therefore not protected by the state’s Constitution. The plaintiffs and the state both asked for the direct appeal. You can read the order by clicking here.
* Meanwhile, the House just voted to abolish the lt. governor’s office. From a press release…
State Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) passed House Joint Resolution by Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA 18) as chief sponsor, a measure that would eliminate the job of Lieutenant Governor and be placed on the 2014 ballot for voters to approve. McSweeney garnered bipartisan support by citing that the measure will save the State money and eliminate redundancies.
HJRCA 18 passed the Illinois House today by a vote of 81-30. […]
The bill will have a positive fiscal impact on the state’s budget as it would eliminate the salary and operating costs of the Office of the Lt. Governor. For fiscal year 2013, the Lieutenant Governor’s salary was $135,900 and total office appropriations were approximately $2 million. […]
Under the legislation, the Attorney General would be next in line to assume the duties of Governor if necessary. The legislation would be effective for the term beginning in 2019.
Arizona, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming all do not have the office of Lt. Governor.
The trick here is getting the Senate to act. Usually, these things die in the other chamber.
The constitutional amendment has a long bipartisan sponsorship list.
*** UPDATE *** Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon’s office says she’s neutral on the measure, but opposed to the idea. The full statement…
We’re neutral on the current proposal, as we support the opportunity for the public to provide input in their government through referenda. That said, we are opposed to the idea of abolishing the Lt. Governor’s Office, which is important for a number of reasons.
A total of 45 states have a Lt. Governor to succeed the Governor in cases of emergency, as has happened in Illinois five times, most recently with Governor Quinn.
The Lt. Governor is the only administration officer the Governor cannot fire and can be counted on to serve as an independent advisor.
In these tough economic times, Lt. Governor Simon has made it her mission to do more with less for the taxpayers of Illinois. She has voluntarily cut her budget by more than 12 percent the past two years and gives back a portion of her salary each year.
Simon is working hard to improve the quality of life for Illinois residents as the state’s point person on education reform, an advocate for victims of domestic violence and our military families, and she is leading the effort to preserve our rivers.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Roundup…
* Defendant who cooperated in Blagojevich investigation agrees to plea deal: One of the last loose ends in Operation Board Games — the federal probe that led to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s incarceration — was tied up Wednesday when crooked construction boss Jacob Kiferbaum agreed to a final plea deal.
* Daughter of ex-Obama pastor indicted by Springfield grand jury
* IHSA issues sanctions following ugly Harrisburg-Seton Academy title game
* Illinois House to hear testimony from R.J. Reynolds on ‘tobacco harm-reduction’ concept
* Illinois says no to ‘scholarship’ school choice
* Health insurance exchange concerns, optimism voiced
* Video gambling legislation advances; lawmaker fights to include ’social clubs’
* Fertilizer execs pitch plant to Illinois
* Quinn says local governments should be able to impose strict gun laws
* Quinn tiptoes around medical marijuana questions as possible House vote looms
* Quinn won’t commit to signing medical marijuana bill
* Quinn: Closing Illinois institutions right thing
* Quinn says man is transition success story
* Quinn Meets With Developmentally Disabled Wednesday
* Bishop says tighter gun laws will help build culture of life
* House OKs new bond rules - Bill would make it easier for residents to oppose taxpayer-backed debt
* Illinois State House Passes Property Tax bill
* Students, faculty lobby lawmakers for budget support at UI Capitol Day
* ANALYSIS: Why Cubs, City Hall haven’t sealed Wrigley deal yet
* Goat’s head delivered to Wrigley Field
* Illinois AG says time for immigration reform now
