The Illinois General Assembly had an abbreviated session week, meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. The primary purpose was for the Governor to address a joint session on Wednesday for the constitutionally required State of the State Address. The Governor presented the speech from notes and he touched upon his plans to create jobs, enhance economic development, to improve the infrastructure, grant authority for voters to enact additional ethics reforms through binding referenda, and to remain committed to Illinois citizens serving in the military and to veterans. While there were no specifics given, the Governor also stated his belief that the State needs “more revenue” and that Illinois has “…an unfair system. Taxes should be based on the ability to pay.” You will recall that in the 2009 session the Governor proposed a major increase in the Illinois income tax.

The next gubernatorial address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly is the budget address. Current law provides that this address must be presented on or before the third Wednesday in February (February 17, 2010). Senate President John Cullerton filed two amendments to House Bill 2240 this week which were referred to the Senate Executive Committee that sought to delay the budget address to the second Wednesday in March (March 10, 2010). Both amendments were identical in establishing the new date, the requirement for the Governor to submit a written report by February 24th on revenues, expenditures, debt service and contributions to the pension systems AND authority for the members of the General Assembly to make written budget recommendations to the Governor between February 24th and March 10th which would be posted on the Governor’s website. Senate Amendment #1 also included a provision that would require the Governor to appear before another joint session of the General Assembly on March 24th to answer questions posed by the members concerning the proposed FY 2011 budget and related matters. Senate Amendment #2 did not include that requirement. The Senate Executive Committee did NOT take action on this legislation this week.

House Resolution 655 was adopted in the House this week stating opposition to the use of the Lucas-Berg Confined Dredged Material Disposal Facility and the dumping of dredged sedimentary materials from the Cal-Sag Channel into the Lucas-Berg Pit within the village of Worth.

The House also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 74 this week to establish a bi-partisan study committee on the relocation of mobile or manufactured homes from a mobile home park that is closing. The Senate had previously adopted this resolution in late October.

The House of Representatives returns to Springfield on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 and the Senate will return on Monday, February 8, 2010.

REMEMBER- THE ILLINOIS PRIMARY ELECTION IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010. EARLY VOTING IS NOW IN PROGRESS. EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!!