- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
BY CHRISTOPHER WILLS
Associate Press Writer | Thursday, January 11, 2007 | (No comments posted.)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | A new General Assembly was sworn in Wednesday with a long list of issues to tackle over the next two years.
The state budget is deep in the red. The governor wants to expand health care programs. Demands for school improvements are growing. State construction plans have been on hold for years.
Lawmakers also are being urged to ban assault weapons, invest money in embryonic stem cell research, strengthen government ethics law and more.
Democrats now control the House and the Senate, as well as the governor's office, but that doesn't mean leaders will agree on what to do. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones, both re-elected to their posts Wednesday, have a frosty relationship, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich often has clashed with lawmakers.
"I think we have to watch out for the relationship between the governor, the speaker and the Senate president," said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie. "I think it's up to members of the House and Senate and the governor's staff to help keep all those leaders in a place where they're all communicating."
Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said the public friction between Jones and Madigan, who have feuded in recent weeks over legislative issues, can be regarded two ways.
"In one way, it's unfortunate, because there are important things we need to get done. In another way, it might help Republicans have a voice at the table," Brady said.
Madigan warned Wednesday that the state's budget situation is very serious and will require difficult decisions by the legislature.
"I think we all know there are difficult times ahead," Madigan said.
He added that he was "prepared to engage in unpopular choices," and pointed to his past support for tax increases and major budget cuts.
Jones devoted most of his speech to education funding, saying reform is needed to close the gap between wealthy and poorer school districts.
He said the top 20 districts spend $14,000 to $28,000 per year on each student, while more than 600 districts spend the minimum of $5,334 per student. He compared that to the $21,000-per-year average to house an inmate, and noted that 62 percent of prisoners are high school dropouts.
"A child's education in this state should not depend on where the child attends school or where that child (lives)," Jones said. "Every child deserves a chance to receive a fair and equitable education."
Blagojevich has proposed privatizing the state lottery to produce a one-time infusion of billions of dollars for Illinois schools, but that idea has few supporters in Springfield. Others are calling for more fundamental changes in the mix of taxes that generate money for Illinois schools.
Jones also said the legislature must pass a capital construction bill to help with transportation and school-building improvements, and proposed more funding for stem cell research.
Congress gave Illinois $1.5 billion in transportation funding, but the state must match it before the money can be spent. And many school districts are awaiting reimbursement of money already spent for school construction, Jones said.
In the new 95th General Assembly, Democrats have a 37-22 majority in the Senate -- enough to override a gubernatorial veto or approve special legislation requiring a super-majority without any Republican votes.
House Democrats have a 66-52 majority. That's substantial but not the three-fifths majority needed for overrides and special legislation.
The governor also has proposed expanding health care programs to move the state closer to ensuring that everyone in Illinois has access to insurance. He has provided no details or cost estimates, however.
During Blagojevich's first term, Republican lawmakers blocked efforts to sell bonds and use the money for government construction projects. The governor is likely to push again for a construction program, but finding money to pay off the bonds could be difficult.
"I think we have a real potential for gridlock and overtime session," said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock.
Associated Press writers John O'Connor and Ryan Keith contributed to this report.
Back to story No comments posted.
- It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
- It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
- It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
- It promoted violence or illegal acts.
- It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.
In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.
Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.
Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.
For more information please read our Terms of Service.
Post a comment Once your comments are approved, they will appear here.
» More Illiana Stories