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* A good compromise…
A bill that would make President Barack Obama’s birthday a commemorative holiday passed the House 87-0 on Friday, moving it to the governor’s desk.
The legislation, Senate Bill 55, would make Obama’s birthday, Aug. 4, a commemorative holiday. That’s different from a legal holiday, in which state government offices shut down and schools and businesses have the option of closing.
The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr., D-Chicago, said the bill wouldn’t cost the state any money and would be a responsible way to celebrate the 44th president’s birthday.
“We want to get one that doesn’t attack our fiscal health considering we still need to work out a budget. This is just another good reason to celebrate, and it’s educational for our children to know what we had,” Evans said. “We may never get another Illinois president in my lifetime. Illinois has Barack Obama and he was passionate about what he believed in.”
* Press release…
Survivors of sexual abuse will no longer have to worry about deadlines to bring their attacker to justice under new legislation that waits for the governor’s signature.
Senate Bill 189, an initiative of Attorney General Lisa Madigan, would eliminate the statute of limitations for certain sex crimes committed against minors. According to many victim advocates, many victims do not come to terms with their assault until after the statute of limitations runs out.
State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), the legislation’s sponsor, drew on his past experience has an assistant state’s attorney in Champaign County when advocating for the new law.
“Survivors of these heinous crimes should be able to come forward when they are ready to seek justice without arbitrary deadlines preventing them,” Bennett said. “I urge the governor to sign this beacon of hope for survivors as soon as it arrives at his desk.”
Scott Cross, brother of former House Minority Leader Tom Cross, worked with Senator Bennett and Attorney General Madigan to pass the legislation. Cross was one of the many victims of disgraced U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
The legislation passed both chambers without opposition.
* Tribune…
In December, this page called on [Auditor General Frank Mautino] to step down from his post until the federal probe is complete. Let the professional accountants in the auditor general’s office run it until his case is resolved.
That was five months ago. Because it appears Mautino has no intention of doing so, today we call on lawmakers to quit looking the other way. They have to file spending reports. They know how how the system is supposed to apply equally to everyone. They should pressure their leadership to put Mautino’s continuation as auditor general up for a vote. A proposal filed by Rep. Grant Wehrli, R-Naperville, to remove Mautino sits in House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Rules Committee.
Madigan can keep protecting his pal Mautino by not calling the resolution for a vote. Or he can quit playing God and allow the House to vote Mautino up or down. Make a case for him or send him packing.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 19, 17 @ 3:10 pm
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Barack…hmmm…Barack…NOPE - never heard of him!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 19, 17 @ 3:14 pm
Martin Luther King’s Birthday started the same way.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 19, 17 @ 3:26 pm
While SB 189 is indeed good for victims, any time a statute of limitations is increased or eliminated, the chance of a wrongful conviction goes up. I hope that law enforcement, prosecutors and judges will remain mindful of that.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 19, 17 @ 3:29 pm
A commemorative holiday is like a commemorative autographed baseball. The real thing is way better.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, May 19, 17 @ 3:33 pm
As a state, we should acknowledge President Obama in some way, now, and this is a great compromise.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 19, 17 @ 3:48 pm
The Obama bill is fine. Of the three largely associated with Illinois (sorry Ulysses), only President Lincoln receives the full state holiday treatment. If we add Obama to that level of holiday, there will be an expectation among many to elevate Reagan’s birthday to the same status. And I agree we have enough state holidays as it is, though some like Columbus Day could be jettisoned.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 19, 17 @ 3:53 pm
@RonBurgundy - with all deference and respect to my many Polish friends, you forgot Pulaski Day.
Comment by illini Friday, May 19, 17 @ 4:07 pm