Week of June 22nd, 2009

The General Assembly returns to Springfield this week in special session to resume work on the FY 2010 budget. It has become apparent that the proposed “doomsday budget” contains mistakes in the language that have handcuffed Governor Quinn’s office in awarding contracts. I am going back to Springfield with an open mind that there will be some movement on real reform to help fix this budget debacle. There is a proposal on the table to issue pension obligation notes instead of bonds, which may free up some of the money which our various human service agencies so desperately need.

Speaker Madigan has not seemed very interested thus far in the types of reforms to state government that I believe are needed to help fill our budget hole, so we will see what happens this week. I also expect the governor to continue to push the legislature for another vote on an income tax increase, most likely on Wednesday. While some type of increase needs to be considered, I am not in favor of passing any increase before taking a long look at reforms to the pension and Medicaid systems.
As I continue with my review of bills passed this session, I would like to highlight legislation concerning veterans’ affairs and active-duty service members. The Republicans in the House of Representatives proposed a substantial Veterans Agenda for this session, and we succeeded in advancing many of those initiatives. HB 4213 creates two new divisions within the Department of Military Affairs. The Division of Family Affairs will seek to assist families of military members who are mobilized or serving abroad to receive all available state veterans’ services. The Division of Women Veterans’ Affairs will ensure that state services and agency programs are meeting the unique needs of active military women and female veterans. This legislation awaits Gov. Quinn’s signature.

There is also a critical need for a military and veteran justice system that will take into account service-related mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder. HB 4212 creates a taskforce to study and make recommendations to the General Assembly as to how to implement a standard statewide veterans’ court. This bill was sent to the governor for approval.

HB 4198 provides an exemption from the $100 FOID application fee for active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces, or the Illinois National Guard. This bill, which awaits Gov. Quinn’s signature, promotes responsible firearm ownership by making it easier for those trained in handling firearms to obtain a FOID card.
Veterans who have served several years in active duty out of the state sometimes return to Illinois to find that they have lost job seniority or their positions altogether. HB 4205 makes workplace discrimination against former Illinois service members a violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act. This legislation passed both chambers and awaits a vote on concurrence on amendments in the House.

HB 1131 permits spouses and children residing with active duty military personnel serving overseas to apply for an absentee ballot by fax or electronic transmission. It also provides alternatives for the return of the ballots to election authorities that should prevent disqualification of ballots due to mail delays. This legislation is designed to increase election participation for not only service members, but their families as well. HB 1131 awaits approval from Gov. Quinn.
This spring session, House Republicans also proposed legislation for veterans and active-duty service members related to: property tax relief, an income tax credit for businesses hiring veterans, protection from creditors, lower fees for fishing and hunting licenses, protection of parental rights, sales tax exemptions on vehicle purchases, tax credits for members and spouses, access to nursing home care, and Medicaid coverage. None of these bills were ultimately called for a final vote by the Democratic leadership in both the House and Senate.

Next week, I will report on the events of our special session over the next few days. There is always time to let me know your thoughts on the budget and any possible tax increases. I assure you that I will continue to fight to fund programs for our most vulnerable citizens: children, senior citizens and the disabled. You may reach me via email (reddyunit1@aol.com) or phone (217-558-1040 or 618-563-4128). I can also be reached by mail at P.O. Box 125, Hutsonville, IL 62433, or you can visit my website at www.peopleforeddy.com. For immediate updates from the House floor, I will Twitter live from our special session at www.twitter.com/RepEddy and www.tweetillinois.org.