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The Illinois House failed to muster the votes Tuesday to accept Gov. JB Pritzker’s amendatory veto to an ethics bill that passed nearly unanimously earlier this year.
Pritzker issued the amendatory veto of Senate Bill 539 Friday, saying he supports the legislation but would like to see a minor change in language dealing with the office of executive inspector general.
The Senate approved that technical change unanimously, but the trouble for the governor came in the House as Republicans removed their support for the bill and not enough Democrats remained in the chamber just before 10 p.m. Tuesday to reach the three-fifths vote needed for it to pass. […]
The bill passed the General Assembly on the final day of the spring session, June 1, by overwhelming majorities – 56-0 in the Senate; 113-5 in the House – even though many Republicans complained that they didn’t think the bill went far enough.
Soon after it passed, Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope announced that she would resign, effective Dec. 15, calling the job a “paper tiger” and saying it showed that “true ethics reform is not a priority” for the General Assembly. She specifically alleged the provision limiting her ability to investigate non-governmental ethics violations, and the fact that a complaint would be required for an investigation, tied her hands.
The House Democrats just assumed the Republicans would be for the AV motion and were completely taken by surprise when it failed to garner enough votes to pass.
But this is a renewable motion, so all they have to do is accept it when they come back to town.
…Adding… This is a really good point in comments that my sleep-deprived brain did not consider…
== - King Louis XVI - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:15 pm:
Madigan would not have made such a mistake. He could count. ==
How was it a mistake? Several targeted GOP members voted against prohibiting elected officials from lobbying. I’d say the new Speaker knew exactly what he was doing when they took a roll call vote knowing full well more than a dozen of their members had already left.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 11:30 am
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Would be great if they stripped out the provision that lobbyists can’t serve in local government.
Comment by Dan Johnson Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 11:41 am
I guess restoring faith in State Government is still on the back burner for most of Speaker Welch’s caucus.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 11:52 am
After the contentious redistricting debate in which Republicans often mentioned the ethical lapses of Democrats, it should have occurred to at least someone in the HDem leadership team that perhaps it wasnt a good time to bring that up.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 11:59 am
==I guess restoring faith in State Government is still on the back burner for most of Speaker Welch’s caucus. ==
Which caucus did not vote for this?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:03 pm
So right about the assumption. When you’re a superminority, you do what you can do to through off the majority.
Doesn’t the House have to act on it within 15 calendar days now that they entered it into the record?
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:05 pm
Legislation Rule #1: work your bill.
GOP loudly voiced many concerns when they held their noses and voted “yes” in the spring.
Good government group slams passage of the bill.
Late night, many Dems were already heading north on 55, and you just jammed through maps.
Easy peasy (rare) way for GOP to stick it to both the House Dems and Guv.
Maybe they did, but probably would have been good for Welch or Burke to at least talk to Durkin before running it last night.
Comment by Inverted Pyramid Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:08 pm
Madigan would not have made such a mistake. He could count.
Comment by King Louis XVI Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:15 pm
== Easy peasy (rare) way for GOP to stick it to both the House Dems and Guv.==
Exactly.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:18 pm
I think it only needs a simple majority, as well. Since they are accepting it.
But has the clock started on it? Do they only get 15 days?
Comment by Mocking Jay Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:28 pm
The GOP killed ethics reform, plain and simple. They might think this doesn’t go far enough, but the simple, plain, and direct fact is that it would be an improvement over the status quo and they killed it. Period. End of story.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:32 pm
That’s all they’ve got? Owning the Libs? Win some elections if you want to have a voice.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:34 pm
@Mocking Jay- You’re correct that they only need a simple majority for a concurrence. If it were an override, it would need 3/5. The 15 day clock begins once they convene regular session.
Comment by Curer Bell Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:39 pm
correction- once the House “convened” regular session yesterday.
Comment by Curer Bell Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:40 pm
== The GOP killed ethics reform, plain and simple.==
Yes, but they got a big assist from the reformers. As I always say, when the reformers come calling, watch out.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:53 pm
=== The 15 day clock begins once they convene regular session. ===
The constitution says: “If within 15 calendar days after such delivery the second house …”
The AV was approved by the Senate and literally acted upon by the House. It’s in the second house so the clock is running.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:54 pm
@Pot Calling Kettle
= Which caucus did not vote for this? =
More specifically, which caucus literally walked out of the discussion and refused to participate in the role of governing?
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:44 pm
==Easy peasy (rare) way for GOP to stick it to both the House Dems and Guv. ==
Until next Fall, when this shows up on mailers and ads claiming the Republicans oppose ethics reform. (see Precinct Captain 12:32pm)
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:59 pm
== Madigan would not have made such a mistake. He could count.==.
I tend to agree. MJM and / or Mapes would have made sure enough Dem butts were in their chairs when the vote was taken.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 3:38 pm
== - King Louis XVI - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 12:15 pm:
Madigan would not have made such a mistake. He could count. ==
How was it a mistake? Several targeted GOP members voted against prohibiting elected officials from lobbying. I’d say the new Speaker knew exactly what he was doing when they took a roll call vote knowing full well more than a dozen of their members had already left.
Comment by irony is fun Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 4:48 pm
===Several targeted GOP members voted against prohibiting elected officials from lobbying===
That’s a really good point.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 4:59 pm