Week of June 29th, 2009

Before I continue with my review of Spring 2009 session legislation, I would like to provide an update on our special sessions and the FY 2010 budget situation. Last week, Governor Quinn addressed the Republican members of the House, and we were able to voice many of our concerns. My office has received hundreds of calls about possible cuts to human service programs. I believe there are still areas of state government where we can cut spending, but not at the expense of those in our state that are in most need of services. There was some action on this front very recently, as the House just passed a bill to issue pension obligation notes. These notes provide for short-term borrowing at a lower interest rate than bonds. The notes would need to be repaid within five years, but it frees up around $2.2 billion to fill the hole in funding for human services. While it is never really good to have to borrow money, I believe that short-term borrowing can be an acceptable strategy for cash-flow purposes. This plan helps our state pensions systems to avoid selling off assets, and could actually save money in the long run.

This does not solve the problem by any means, but it does buy us some time and allows our Medicaid and pension reform task forces to work towards more solutions. It is important to remember that our current budget situation is the result of several years of fiscal irresponsibility. Serious cuts, tax increases, system reforms, and cash-flow schemes alone will not fix the problem – most likely, it will take a combination of all of these. This pension note bill is piece of the puzzle, but certainly not the final piece.

This week, I would also like to look at key legislation introduced this session in the area of public safety. HB 721 ends discrimination against people who may have an “order of protection” status. Orders of protection are frequently issued in divorce cases due to the disruptive state of the relationship. This bill says that discriminating against an individual who is being protected by one of these orders, particularly in a place of employment, violates the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986.

HB 1314 prohibits registered sex offenders from using social networking websites. As children become more technologically savvy at a younger age, there is a greater need to protect them from those who use the Internet for criminal purposes. These social networking websites provide sex offenders with easy access to victims, and this bill is an important step to protect children. HB 1314 passed both houses as part of the House Republicans’ Internet Safety Agenda, and was sent to Gov. Quinn for approval.

HB 71 was another controversial bill that was heavily debated this session, but ultimately sent to the Governor. The bill bans the use of an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message while driving. There are several exemptions to this bill for parked vehicles, devices with hands-free or voice-activated features, and vehicles stopped in heavy traffic. While it is by no means a perfect bill, I voted for HB 71 because of the increase in distracted-driving related accidents. I know we are all frustrated when we see someone “texting” while driving and paying no attention to the road. This bill had the support of a multitude of law enforcement and transportation safety groups.

SB 148 provides for the use of cameras at railroad intersections for the purpose of enforcement and ticketing of those who ignore railroad safety equipment. The fine for a violation is set at $500. This bill is not a requirement for municipalities; local law enforcement agencies must first request the enactment of an ordinance to request the creation of this camera system, and then petition the Illinois Commerce Commission to initiate the planning process.

While we were not successful in advancing a concealed carry bill this session, there were other steps taken to protect Second Amendment rights through legislation. HB 12 proposed to restrict multiple purchases of handguns within a 30-day period. With the help of several downstate Democrats, this bill was defeated in the House. The House and Senate did pass HB 182, a bill which I co-sponsored. This legislation makes it legal to carry or possess a firearm in a legal place where the person is invited. The purpose of the bill is to authorize a person to carry a firearm in a temporary residence, such as a hotel or a residence in which a person is an invited guest and has the permission of the owner.

I will continue to keep you updated on our special sessions. I encourage you to follow me and other legislators live on the House floor via Twitter at www.twitter.com/RepEddy and www.tweetillinois.org. As always, you may relay your thoughts on state government to me by email (reddyunit1@aol.com) or phone (217-558-1040 or 618-563-4128). My mailing address is P.O. Box 125, Hutsonville, IL 62433. You can also visit my website at www.peopleforeddy.com, and watch or listen to live feeds of session at http://www.ilga.gov/house/audvid.asp.