By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The Illinois General Assembly begins its fall veto session Tuesday, with lawmakers scheduled to meet Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.
Issues discussed ahead of the session include data center regulation, housing legislation, funding for Chicago Public Schools and ethics changes, according to an Illinois in Focus report by Center Square reporter Sean Reed and host Jim Talamante.
Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, wants a bill that covers water use, transparency, ethics and power-grid use, with local property tax relief tied to new projects. She supports a proposal called “Bring Your Own Power.”
Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, a Democrat, thinks the POWER Act could pass with small fixes. House Majority Leader Robin Gabel said stakeholder meetings “just really began” and “we’re looking more likely at lame duck session in January.” Organized labor opposed the proposal in the spring.
Part of the BUILD housing package passed in the fall. The portion dealing with red tape and accessory dwelling units did not. Rep. Ryan Spain objected to Gov. JB Pritzker’s approach to zoning and local control.
Chicago Public Schools is counting on $150 million promised by House Speaker Chris Welch, according to the report.
Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, who is retiring, said appropriation bills historically do not come up until a new session after a budget is passed. The bill likely will not pass without statewide money, which he said “could look like another 500 or $600 million.”
Ethics reform for the legislature is on Democratic leaders’ list for the session.
