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Veto session by the numbers

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* Out of 39 total vetoes by Gov. Rauner this year, 15 have been overridden, while 22 others stood (and 11 of those died after no action was taken). One more is still pending Senate action as I write this (prohibition of asking for wage history UPDATE: The override motion failed.). Out of 10 amendatory vetoes, 3 were overridden and no action was taken either way on 4.

* Here’s an Entertainment Software Association press release about a veto the General Assembly didn’t try to override…

The Geolocation Privacy Protection Act (HB 3449) would have resulted in burdensome, redundant, and costly disclosure and consent requirements to use Illinois residents’ location data. The bill’s unnecessary red tape risked significant negative impacts on everything from navigation apps to games made by the Illinois video game industry, which provides approximately 6,000 Illinoisans high-paying jobs and adds $354 million in revenue to the state’s economy.

“Governor Rauner got it right when he vetoed this job killing bill, and the legislature was wise to sustain that decision,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, the trade association that represents the US video game industry. “The Geolocation Privacy Protection Act would have reduced user convenience and stifled innovation and job creation.”

It is critical privacy protection decisions be made in partnership with tech sector experts who understand the benefits and challenges of geolocation. By working together and following Federal Trade Commission guidance, which recommends brief, easily understood disclosures and privacy controls – already provided by top mobile marketplaces and operating systems – policymakers and experts can protect Americans’ privacy and user experience.

* But here’s an override motion that received zero “No” votes in both chambers…

Active substitute teachers will be able to seek a refund of the $50 fee they’re required to pay when they apply for a state license under a new law sponsored by Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).

“This is an example of what we can do to ease up on the government bureaucracy that’s got a stranglehold on the teaching profession in Illinois,” said Manar, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “We have empty classrooms because of a statewide teacher shortage, a rapidly shrinking pool of substitutes and students who are suffering as a result. Curbing fees and eliminating unnecessary red tape will help address some of these problems.”

The Senate Wednesday voted 53-0 to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 3298. The measure authorizes a refund of the licensure application fee for substitutes as long as they can offer evidence of teaching at least 10 full school days within a year of being licensed.

The House overrode the governor’s veto 110-0 in October. The law goes into effect immediately.

School districts statewide are experiencing difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified full-time and substitute teachers.

During a hearing of the Senate Education Committee in Decatur Monday, lawmakers were told that teachers around the country often skip over Illinois when they’re looking for a job because of low starting salaries, licensure difficulties, lack of mentoring and other issues. The teacher shortage disproportionately affects districts in central Illinois and rural parts of the state.

* This override motion was unanimous in the House, but three Republicans voted “No” in the Senate

In other action, the Senate voted to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation backed by Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza that would require increased reporting about state finances. The House already rejected Rauner’s veto, so the measure now becomes law.

Sens. Brady, Oberweis and Syverson were the only ones who stuck with the governor in either chamber.

* Press release…

Cursive handwriting will remain a subject in Illinois public schools thanks to the Senate’s action in overriding a veto of a measure that requires public elementary schools to offer at least one unit of instruction in the subject.

Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led the initiative, noting it promotes the practical and fundamental values cursive writing has in education.

“Cursive writing is a skill children will need throughout their lives,” Lightford said. “You cannot write a check, sign legal documents or even read our Constitution without an understanding of cursive writing.”

Districts would determine by local policy at what grade levels this would be implemented as long as students receive the instruction by grade 5.

Under House Bill 2977, schools will be required to offer cursive writing beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

* And here’s a bill that didn’t get a vote

About 100 moms came to the capitol to push for tighter gun laws. They want the state to license Illinois gun dealers and require most of them to install video surveillance systems. The bill the moms sponsor already passed through the Senate, but the House adjourned for the year before ever calling the bill to a vote.

“It’s very common sense,” Colleen Daley, of the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence, explained. “Measure like background checks on employees, video surveillance on brick and mortar stores, and making sure there’s training for employees on how to identify straw purchasers.”

However, many Republicans say the bill goes too far, arguing it’s too broad and would interfere with the rights of law-abiding citizens to have access to guns.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 10:52 am

Comments

  1. That $50 fee for ISBE used to be $5/year. $25/five. The county would stamp the back of my certificate & good to go. Now anyone w/ a BS can sub. Times have really changed. The fee increase is the states way of raising money w/o raising “taxes”.

    Comment by eled Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 11:00 am

  2. Varied results on vetoes, and non-party-line votes, are good signs that the overall process is working.

    Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 11:00 am

  3. I think any time a chief executive doesn’t want anyone to know where or how the bills are piling up, it’s probably a good idea to take a hard look at what’s going on.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 11:03 am

  4. On total vetoes, Rauner had been overridden twice. Once on the heroin bill (HB 1). The other on the Chicago police and fire pension bill (SB 777).

    He was also overridden on his AV of SB 440.

    But still, a very rare occurrence.

    Comment by Juice Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 11:22 am

  5. The bill to state license Illinois gun dealers did not have enough support to pass in the House, there were Democrats that were also not going to vote it up if forced to vote on the bill. If the moms wanted to see the bill go down the Speaker could have called it, but he wisely did not call the bill and force some Democrats to vote against it.

    Comment by Rod Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 11:28 am

  6. They want the state to license Illinois gun dealers and require most of them to install video surveillance systems….”It’s very common sense”. It may seems common sense - but it would do nothing to stop criminals from using guns - they use stolen weapons. Illinois already has the most restrictive gun laws.To purchase a gun in Illinois, a customer must have a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card and then wait three days from the point of sale before possessing it. The store must keep only a paper record of the sale to comply with any potential ATF audit. Lastly many small gun shops would be forced to shut their doors due to additional licensing and CCTV costs.

    Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 11:33 am

  7. =Now anyone w/ a BS can sub=

    I have been in education since 1995 when I started subbing. At that time all I had was a BA (not a BS) degree. So if “now” means the last 22 years then you are correct, but it goes back farther than that. You are limited to 100 days of subbing with a sub license though.

    Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 11:49 am

  8. ++++“It’s very common sense,” Colleen Daley, of the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence, explained.

    It’s so common sense that they had to carve out big retailers like WalMart and Cabelas. Why?

    Comment by anonanonanon Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 12:40 pm

  9. ==but it would do nothing to stop criminals ==

    That’s an idiotic argument.

    Using that logic what’s the point of having any laws. I mean, we’re always going to have criminals.

    Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 1:27 pm

  10. “It’s very common sense,” Colleen Daley, of the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence, explained.” Colleen should just cut a deal with ISRA on bump stocks, they sold out their own members to police unions in the concealed carry bill, do it all the time.

    Little known and mostly forgotten story about ISRA’s Richard Pearson and the ICHV. Once upon a time circa the early 2000s when Tom Mennard was running the ICHV, the ICHV corporate registration lapsed, and the name was bought by ISRA. Pearson and the good old boys at ISRA World Headquarters in Chatsworth had a good laugh, and they issued press releases under the name of the ICHV. Todd Vandermyde was on the ISRA board at the time also. Then ISRA got sued, and had to pay ICHV due to federal court order. Oops! Another example of the good old boys flopping on their face, always looking out for themselves, not their members.

    Money has never been a problem for ISRA, for over one hundred years rich widows have been donating estates to further their good works, and Pearson is an insurance salesman after all. He knows how to manage money and cut deals, but just does not have what it takes to go up against the real professionals. Just mail in more money for ISRA brand snake oil, it cures what ails ya!

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 1:46 pm

  11. =Demoralized …”Using that logic what’s the point of having any laws. I mean, we’re always going to have criminals”

    I agree totally - that is why we need need less laws restricting gun ownership - a few years ago IL’s unconstitutional limits on 2A, meant we almost went from the most restrictive state to constitutional carry as they have in Vermont

    Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 2:34 pm

  12. ==that is why we need need less laws==

    Yeah. That’s the answer. /s/

    Perhaps you could tell us all what gun laws we should get rid of. I’m sure it’s an interesting list.

    Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 3:54 pm

  13. The time breaks between “Superstars” to IPI/BTIA(tm) to the purging of the that IPI mistake…

    The governing and understanding the job was lost in the shuffle as messaging and crisis management was far more important than looking at long term issues with vetoes that will be embarrassingly bad for a governor, looking inept and clueless… or worse… a purposeful obstructionist and the GA tells this governor… enough.

    I’m so angry, no glee here… at some point it IS about governing thoughtfully, honestly, and purposely…

    The vetoes point to any of all of those missing from that governing office.

    Malpractice.

    It’s not just a political rebuke, these are the chiding that a GA does to a Governor whose not at all interested in governing.

    This is not fun… or funny.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 4:05 pm

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