Democrats will have super-majority control when the Illinois House and Senate reconvene in January. (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Republicans won’t have much company in the General Assembly when the new session convenes Jan. 9. They’ll be outnumbered by Democrats, 71-47 in the House and 40-19 in the Senate.

While that constitutes a three-fifths supermajority, it does not necessarily mean one party will rule everything everywhere. “Democrats are all over the place,” says State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie).

Lang says the Democratic majority is veto-proof but not foolproof. The phrase “veto-proof majority” implies that everyone in the majority votes the same way and would oppose a veto from Gov. Pat Quinn, who is also a Democrat.

“They certainly don’t always agree with the governor,” says State Sen. David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville), “but I think it would be a little disingenuous to say that they don’t vote as a bloc. If (House Speaker Mike) Madigan and (Senate President John) Cullerton want something bad enough, they have historically been able to get the vote.”

The new General Assembly convenes Jan. 9.