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Q: We just received a tip from two lawmakers saying there might not be a veto session. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think there should be one despite a second wave of COVID?

A: Well that would be disappointing. We have so much work to do in Springfield. There’s no doubt. I know why people are concerned about gathering. I am discouraging gathering across the state. But I must say I would be disappointed. There are so we just have so many things we need to accomplish. With regard to the budget in particular, we have major eforts underway that will require the Legislature’s engagement, indeed I’m already working with members of the Legislature. I do not know whether they’re going to not have a session, but again, it would be disappointing.

Two Springfield legislators are, indeed, saying that the House has canceled its reservation with the BOS Center. I called the convention center earlier today and was told that while the House had asked to hold the dates, they hadn’t yet heard anything today either way. The rumor mill is strong, however, that session will be canceled and they’ll return in January for an extended lame duck session. Veto session is scheduled to begin a week from today.

We’ve talked about this before, but things have changed considerably.

* The Question: Cancel veto session or go ahead with it? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…

surveys

*** UPDATE *** Veto session has been canceled, so the question is moot. I suppose you could continue voting as if you agree or disagree.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:20 pm

Comments

Why we dont just have virtual session is mind boggling.

Comment by Peoples Republic of Oak Park Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:22 pm
Yes seems like a no brainer to do a virtual session.

Comment by eted Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:27 pm
I voted to cancel.

My vote would have been different had the Mayor any sense, but the atmosphere/medical emergency in Springfield right now is not conducive to 100+ people from other areas of the state gathering in a closed space in Springfield and breathing the same air, then going back to their respective districts. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. Not only did I vote No, I’d be willing to bet serious money that they will cancel both Veto Sessions and come back during the lame duck.

Comment by L.A. Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:27 pm
Voted cancel. Things are getting out of hand again. People need to do their part to stop the spread.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:28 pm
Virtual does indeed seem to be a no brainer.

But of course, IL is chock full of no-brainer things that other states easily handle, but for some reason IL is “different”

Comment by Fav Human Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:29 pm
The legislation for Virtual anything in the House did not pass. That is why there are no Virtual House Sessions or Committee meetings.

Comment by Paul S Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:29 pm
There’s this thing called Zoom. Has Mike Madigan else heard of it?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:31 pm
So US Congress can fly to DC, just coming off major election and constituent interactions, have far more staff in the US Capitol but Illinois members can’t drive to Springfield, with a $9 billion budget backlog? Ok sounds reasonable?

Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:31 pm
I dont think session should happen, mainly due to the positivity rate in Springfield. Just have a longer lame duck session.

Comment by AUSTINMAN Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:31 pm
If those are the two options?

Cancel till January.

“Why?”

Serious and significant things have changed the landscape going forward, there’s also social justice legislation needing real attention as well.

We’re 8 month in a pandemic, but we might be facing its worse wrath right now, in real time.

With no structure to purpose, a global pandemic rising and raging, only one option other than meeting, I take that option.

Cancel.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:32 pm
If there is no veto session, it won’t be because of covid, although that is a convenient excuse. Why would Madigan want people in Springfield right now? They have no money to spend, getting the votes to make anything immediately effective is tougher than it will be in January, and politically the Democrats are currently in their own circular firing squad.

Comment by fs Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:32 pm
House GOPies refused to back any remote meeting sessions. Good work Durkie

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:33 pm
I can’t imagine things will be any better in January. Are they going to cancel then too? They need to meet. The GA has been AWOL during this entire pandemic.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:34 pm
The state is in crisis. There must be things the GA can do to help. At least pass a resolution affirming the Governor’s right to issue multiple emergency declarations. Make it easy for the judges.

Veterans Day is tomorrow. Nobody is shooting at the legislators. They can step up.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:36 pm
Go ahead and still have veto session, but legislators and staff will be barred from doing business with Springfield restaurants and bars. Not even drive-thru, curbside or take out. Brown-bag lunch instead.

Comment by Chatham Resident Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:40 pm
At least two House members have tested positive, and anything that passes now will take a supermajority; unless the Republicans show willingness to shoulder some yea votes, there’s no point in meeting.

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:40 pm
They should hold session. How many working class citizens making barely above minimum wage are considered “essential” and have been working with the public thru the pandemic?

Yet our Legislative Branch doesn’t see a reason to gather and address the issues facing our State? Would this mean that they’re not “essential” to our society?

Obviously they are. It’s way past time that they met and did the work of the people.

Comment by SKI Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:42 pm
I’m chose cancel because the situation is goshawful right now. Maybe it will be better later. I still like the idea of them meeting outside in one of the state parks (maybe with a tent roof overhead (sides open) to do business. If it’s cold it should ensure that business is conducted quickly.

Failing that Vandalia is nice this time of year.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:43 pm
State employees have been told veto is cancelled

Comment by Insiderous Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:43 pm
We shouldn’t have to put people in jeopardy by having session in a community where the leaders don’t support efforts to limit this virus

Comment by Wow Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:45 pm
Virtual best but if it’s down to those two, get some N95 masks and hold it - there’s important work to be done (or, more likely, shirked).

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:46 pm
No session no pay?

Comment by Nieva Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:47 pm
I voted cancel. To the person who said that essential workers are doing their jobs, well those essential workers would be far safer if those who did not absolutely need to work stayed home! I am extremely grateful for all those who work in the grocery stores, pharmacies. And other essential businesses, but I have to believe that they feel better knowing that the person putting their groceries on the belt came straight from home and will return straight home. We will get through this, but only if we can essentially starve this virus until all all successfully vaccinated!

Comment by Twofer Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:49 pm
=== No session no pay?===

Pesky constitution… nope

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Cancel. There is nothing that needs immediate action. They can still do lame duck in January if they want. They could all test the week of the 4th and be in town on the 10th (or earlier) for a three day session before inauguration. If they decide against a lame duck session, it appears as though the House and the Senate will still have a supermajority after the inauguration so they could pass anything they want at that time. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:52 pm
I think only the essential workers should show up. That would be the 4 tops or at least 2 tops. They could work it out then have non essential workers come down for a day and vote

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:53 pm
Give time for the caucuses to take away content from the recent bicameral hearings and see if a package can emerge.

Give time to figure out if a lame duck covid package can be negotiated and appropriated in a supplemental.

Give time to figure out if there is political will to put a flat tax increase on the board?

Comment by Waffle Fries Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:58 pm
They need to meet in some safe fashion and do the jobs they were elected to do. They are abdicating their duties in a hundred-year crisis.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:59 pm
Voted Go ahead. My child in Kindergarten was able to do remote learning since the start of this school year. How hard is it to do a remote session with grown adults and mute buttons if necessary?

Comment by Consultant101 Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 4:07 pm
All you remote session people.
There was a vote on that.
It failed.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 4:19 pm
I voted cancel. Setting the virus aside for a moment, there’s not much for the GA to do.

There are no vetoes to take up. There’s been no new stimulus from Washington requiring action related to spending authority. A bunch of the regulatory sunsets that would have kicked in at the end of the year were extend in May. And they can’t take up a big energy bill as long as the ComEd investigation is hot.

The Black Caucus agenda and ethics reform are the most immediate concerns, but it seems to me those things would be easier to pass when the 60-30 thresholds kick back in during the lame duck period. Come back in January.

Comment by Roman Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 4:22 pm
OK, no remote session. But they still need to meet.
There has to be a way to meet safely. I mean churches and schools are doing it. Oh, yeah, and some state offices, too.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 4:28 pm
==- Peoples Republic of Oak Park - Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:22 pm:==
==- eted - Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 3:27 pm:==
==- Consultant101 - Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 4:07 pm:==

Tim Butler killed it. There was bill to do it and he threw hissy fits and threatened to derail the entire special session. It’s all on Blue Room Stream or you can order DVDs from the legislature. Or you can use Google (or Bing or DuckDuckGo or your favorite search engine) to look at archives from this very website. Amazing thing, that internet.

https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/26/ive-changed-my-mind-about-remote-legislating/

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 4:28 pm
I appreciate proceeding with caution, but I am frustrated at the luxury they have to take this precautionary matter when so many of our fellow Illinoisans don’t and the federal resources haven’t been provided to make those choices easier.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 4:59 pm