By Terry James
SPRINGFIELD – There could be another attempt to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a controversial binding arbitration bill.
On May 27, state Rep. Chris Welch, D-Hillside, filed a motion to override the veto. The request came two days after the Illinois House upheld the veto.
After that failed veto attempt, seven Republican state representatives sent a letter to Rauner and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch asking both sides to get back to the table.
One of the signers, state Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, said everyone wants a resolution.
“We think that that’s the responsible thing to do, is come to the table and renegotiate, regardless of which side you’re on,” Bourne said.
Republican stat Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Leland Grove, said she signed the letter to foster a resolution.
“That is actually going to produce the best results in negotiations between the two parties,” Jimenez said.
In a response posted to the AFSCME website, Lynch asked the lawmakers to support a motion to reconsider the veto override.
Bourne said it’s not the job of the legislature to interfere with the negotiations.
“To consider something for the fifth time and spend our time on that when it’s not gotten the requisite number of votes to pass, I think it’s been fully vetted, I think that’s an inappropriate use of our time,” Bourne said.
Bourne said lawmakers should focus on crafting a balanced budget instead.
Jimenez said the letter and the binding arbitration bill are separate issues.
“That doesn’t actually bring both sides back to the table. That would allow for the arbitrator to come in. So it’s not the same subject,” Jimenez said.
