More than 400 bills clear Senate and House during 2022 spring session
During this year’s truncated spring legislative session, 408 Senate and House Bills passed through both chambers of the General Assembly. In the coming months, Gov. JB Pritzker will take final action on each piece of legislation. His options are to sign a bill into law, issue a partial veto that includes recommended changes to a bill, or issue a full veto of a piece of legislation. If he takes no action on a bill that is sent to him, it automatically becomes law after 60 days. Unless a procedural move is utilized to delay sending a bill to the Executive Branch for final action, bills must be sent to the Governor within 30 days of full passage.
In the overnight hours of session’s final day, the Senate Republican Caucus printed out one paper copy of the budget. I’m shown with it in this photo, and I share it so you can see how absurd it is that a bill of this magnitude would be filed within just a few hours of legislators’ being expected to vote on it. It’s just not possible to read it and understand it’s contents in such a short period of time.
Senator Wilcox to host “Conversations on Fire” at Marengo gun range
One of my favorite parts of my role of State Senator is connecting with the people I represent so I can learn about their priorities and issues of concern. I would like to invite you to attend an upcoming community outreach event that will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at D5 Ranges Marengo.
“Conversations on Fire” is a new twist on my Conversations Untapped and Coffee & Conversation events, where I gather with residents while showcasing a business within the 32nd Senate District. These events are perfect for casual conversations in small groups or one-on-one.
At this event, I will provide a short update on the legislative session that just ended, but most of the time will be reserved for conversations with you, where you can offer your thoughts and ideas, and express your concerns about issues that matter to you.
I hope you will join me at this upcoming event. RSVPs are strongly encouraged, and you can reserve your spot by clicking here.
Democrats delay action on Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
When statehouse Democrats chose to leave a $1.8 billion deficit in the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund, they knew they had until July 3, 2022, to pay the remainder of the debt before tax increases on businesses and benefit reductions for unemployed Illinoisans kicked in.
When negotiations on how to handle the deficit broke down, Democrats took a play from the pension deficit playbook, and kicked the can down the road. Through legislation passed near the end of session, the date when the tax hikes and benefit reductions were expected to kick in was pushed back to Jan. 1, 2023—conveniently after the election. Costly interest payments on the debt will continue to accrue while lawmakers take the additional six months to take action.
In my opinion, the remaining deficit was not necessary, because Illinois was sent more than enough money through either direct or indirect federal COVID-19 dollars to backfill the full $4.5 billion deficit in the UI Trust Fund. In fact, most states did use their federal funds for this intended purpose, and Illinois remains one of only a few states that still have a deficit in the fund.
The decision not to replenish the UI Trust Fund comes at a time when inflation continues to climb and many believe the nation is headed toward another recession. Recessions trigger higher unemployment, and I believe it was irresponsible to leave a gaping hole in the fund that unemployed people rely on to help make ends meet when they are out of work.
Democrats silent on ethics reform in 2022
When the Legislature passed a watered-down version of ethics reform in 2021, leading Democrats from both chambers promised it was just a first step, and that more work needed to be done. Those words rang hollow this year when the Senate Ethics Committee failed to hold even one meeting.
Despite the 22-count public corruption and racketeering indictment against former Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, and news last week that yet another Statehouse Democrat was under federal investigation for political wrongdoing, exactly zero ethics reform bills were heard this year.
Senate Republicans pushed forward with their commitment to ensure an ethical and corruption-free state government this year by filing a robust package of ethics reform bills. The Senate Republicans’ package would have empowered officials to better investigate, indict, and prosecute cases of political corruption, and would have strengthened lobbying laws.
Legislature fails to address problems with SAFE-T Act
With no action taken to address problematic areas of the so-called SAFE-T Act, as of Jan. 1, 2023, it will become increasingly more difficult to detain many violent offenders beyond the initial arrest.
Several State’s Attorneys from across the state outlined scenarios that would prohibit the detention of violent accused offenders, even those with multiple felony convictions in their past. In many cases, the front-line law enforcement officials said those accused of crimes like aggravated discharge of a firearm—a Class I Felony, armed and repeated domestic violence, and other felonies, would have to be set free under the sloppy wording of the SAFE-T Act.
The 800+-page Act was pushed through by Democrats in the middle of the night during a lame-duck session of the General Assembly in 2021. While some provisions that took effect this year showed immediate problems, including electronic monitoring and defendants who violated the terms of their home monitoring to commit new violent crimes, many elements of the ill-conceived bill will take effect on Jan. 1.
I will continue to advocate for changes to the SAFE-T Act that show equal respect for victims and the accused, and which protect the safety of police officers and the general public.
Gas station owners consider lawsuit over gas tax sticker mandate
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, gas costs have risen by an alarming 48 percent over the last year, and oil prices have skyrocketed by 70 percent. Attempts to provide motorists with relief was a topic of much debate during the recent legislative session.
Senate Republicans filed legislation that would permanently cap the sales tax on gas at 18 cents per gallon, which would provide Illinoisans with savings of up to 16 cents per gallon and put real money back into consumers’ pockets. Democrats, on the other hand, advanced a temporary election-year measure that would not reduce the current price of gas, but would only delay a 2-3-cent increase, which would have originally taken effect on July 1, until after the election.
Along with the Democrats’ measly gas savings, every gas station in the state will be required to place stickers at every pump that announce the delay in the tax increase through legislative action. Those found in violation of the sticker requirement will face misdemeanor charges and a fine of $500 per offense. A lawsuit is in consideration to oppose the mandate. It is wrong to force businesses to post political messaging and those who don’t comply should not be penalized.