Quinn sets ambitious agenda for special session

Posted on January 7, 2015

Gov. Pat Quinn said he wants lawmakers to enact a minimum wage hike when they meet this week. (Photo by Carrie Muehling/WJBC)

By Jim Anderson/Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – Gov. Pat Quinn says he’d like to see more on the table at Thursday’s special session of the General Assembly than just a special election for comptroller.
 
Senate Republicans say they’d like to have a vote on a constitutional amendment to combine the offices of comptroller and treasurer. This has passed the Senate before, but not the House. The governor says he’d like to see that too. He also wants lawmakers to raise the minimum wage.
 
“I think it’s important that we always keep that issue in mind because the people voted on it, the Senate voted on it. I think it’s important for the Legislature to pay attention to what the people want. I certainly do, and I think it is important to all of those who labor and raise children that we’re fair to them,” he said.
 
The House has yet to commit to the comptroller election. State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) says the House couldn’t agree on a minimum wage bill in the fall Veto Session, and there’s no hurry on the constitutional amendment; they have 16 months to get that done.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…