Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week

Posted on May 13, 2020
Illinois Capitol
The session is Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield will welcome back the lawmakers next week. They intend to tackle the budget for next year as well as whatever is needed to address coronavirus.

State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Chicago) says the federal coronavirus stimulus bill – the CARES Act – is a great unknown. “We are still learning what was done in terms of how it will impact the state budget and the programs that we all know are priorities for the people that we represent.”

While the Senate convenes at the Capitol, the House will be at the BOS Center, with plenty of social distancing, temperature taking, and cleaning. Asked if he feels he will be safe, House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) paused before answering.

“I trust in the health experts who are laying out these guidelines, and I intend to follow them as best I can. I am in a risk group myself, so I am going to be attentive to it.”

The session is Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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…