Democrats tap Southern Illinois to bail out Chicago’s broken transit system, limit immigration enforcement, and pass bill to raise your energy bills. Here’s what happened during Veto Session.
Illinois Democrats Pass a $2.5 Billion Mass Transit Bailout
More of the same at the Capitol, with Illinois Democrats passing more tax hikes in the early morning hours of the final day of the fall veto session.
After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, House Democrats dropped multiple versions of their mass transit bailout in the waning hours of veto session. This came after the Senate Democrats had passed their own mass transit bailout bill at the end of the spring session, a bailout funded by extremely unpopular taxes like a delivery tax on packages and food.
The House Democrats’ first version of their bailout bill also contained extremely unpopular tax hikes, including a 7% statewide amusement tax on events and streaming services, a $5 large event ticket surcharge (on top of the 7% amusement tax), and automated speed camera enhancements in safety zones. The Democrats’ initial tax hike plan was so untenable that even Gov. JB Pritzker immediately threw cold water all over it.
On the final night of veto session, the House Executive Committee held a subject matter hearing on the yet-to-be-filed second version of the Democrats’ Mass Transit Bailout. House Republicans pointed out the absurdity of holding on hearing on legislation that hadn’t even been filed, read or analyzed by legislators or legislative staff.
Late on Thursday night, House Democrats finally filed their revised Mass Transit Bailout as Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2111. After debating the bill well past midnight, Democrats passed SB 2111 on a partisan roll call vote of 72-32-0. The Senate concurred by a vote of 36-21-0.
The Democrats’ Mass Transit Bailout includes $1.5 Billion in tax increases and $1 Billion in higher Tollway charges to fix a $200 million transit fiscal cliff. The bill also will be stealing money that should go into Southern Illinois roads and bridges and send it straight to Chicago to fund the Bailout.
Democrats’ “Green New Giveaway” an $8 Billion Hit to Ratepayers
Democrats continued their assault on Illinois families this week with the passage of their “Green New Giveaway” energy scam.
Senate Bill 25 is another example of flawed green energy fantasies that Illinois ratepayers are already all too familiar with. This isn’t an energy bill; it’s an environmental giveaway that gives power to unelected bureaucrats to raise energy rates in the future.
Under the guise of “green energy,” Illinoisans will see higher rates, fewer good-paying jobs, and a less reliable energy supply. As Illinois families continue to struggle with Illinois’ cost of living, this bill will raise their energy bills. With baseload generation gutted, we can only expect rates to skyrocket – even more than they already have.
Rate hikes are coming for families across Illinois as this bill passes on $8 billion of costs to families and businesses who pay electric bills.
House Republicans support a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy approach that can meet demand, is reliable, and doesn’t cost consumers an arm and a leg.
While there is some good in this bill, such as the repeal of the nuclear construction ban, it’s crammed between handouts for special interests and rate hikes for consumers.
This proposal makes it less likely that job creators will locate their business in Illinois. Small businesses this past summer saw their electricity rates double and triple from last summer.
We cannot believe Democrats when they tell us that this legislation will lower electricity bills. Past energy legislation has promised energy savings but has only delivered more expensive energy bills. Past energy bills have dramatically reduced energy production in Illinois through forced closures of coal and other power plants.
The only thing “green” about the Democrats’ energy scam is that Illinoisans will be handing over a lot more of their greenbacks when their utility bills arrive.
Instead of focusing on expensive and unattainable green energy pipe-dreams, we should focus on preserving our energy from sources like natural gas, coal, and fossil fuels that actually work when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Bill to Limit Immigration Enforcement
After weeks of verbally condemning the federal immigration crackdown in the Chicago region, Illinois lawmakers approved legislation banning civil immigration arrests in and around state courthouses early Friday morning.
House Bill 1312, among other provisions, would also allow Illinois residents to sue immigration agents who violate their constitutional right to due process and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
It heads to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk after clearing the Illinois Senate 40-18 and the Illinois House 75-32 in the waning hours of their annual fall veto session.
The bill also allows Illinois residents to sue immigration agents for violating their constitutional rights. They would be able to collect punitive damages, which can be increased if the agents are wearing a mask, concealing their identity, failing to wear a body camera or using a vehicle with a non-Illinois or obscured license plate.
Read more from Capitol News Illinois.
Rep. Charlie Meier and IDNR Working to Allow Christmas Waterfowl Hunts
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) are responding following the release of 2026-2030 waterfowl season dates, which notably did not include the Christmas holiday that is enjoyed by many hunters throughout Southern Illinois.
Rep. Charlie Meier heard from many constituents regarding the changes to the dates, with most concerned that they would not be able to enjoy a Christmas tradition under the new dates. Following persistent advocacy and outreach, IDNR responded that they are going to reconsider the new dates.
“The Department did not receive indication from the public information gathered that a preference existed for duck hunting during the Christmas holiday in the South Zone,” IDNR said in a statement on Facebook. “We now understand this to be critically important to many hunters in this area.”
Rep. Meier is pleased that IDNR is open to updating the new dates.
“I know so many families throughout Southern Illinois that enjoy hunting waterfowl over Christmas and have done so for many, many years,” said Rep. Meier. “Thank you to Director Natalie Phelps-Finnie and IDNR for being willing to come to the table. Families throughout the region should be able to carry on their hunting traditions.”
IDNR will be hosting public hearings on this topic across Southern Illinois. Details on these meetings are not yet finalized.
Remembering a Friend
Two weeks ago, I heard the tragic news that one of my best friends and classmate suddenly died. In life we make many friends but there are only a few that you can really talk to about anything or just sit and laugh together. Mitch Rick was one of those friends for me. I would call on the ride home from Springfield. We would reminisce about old times or catch up on gossip. On this last trip home, we talked for almost an hour. He had been learning Polish and was trying to teach me the Polish word for hello – CZESC pronounced CHESHCH. He laughed as I kept trying and we just kept talking. We would both say well I got to go, but we would think of something else we needed to say and the conversation continued. I am thankful we had that wonderful long talk, having no idea it would be our last. When Mitch married Pat, their wedding was on October 30th and now his funeral will fall on their anniversary, and they will be side by side for eternity and dancing polkas in Heaven. I wish we could have had more time to learn the word goodbye. Rest in Peace my friend and tell Pat CZESC for me.
Below is a picture of Mitch and Pat on their wedding day in 1982. Also pictured is the outfit I wore when we walked into the reception. Each couple in the wedding dressed in a costume.
Here to Serve You
It was a long week but still remains a great honor to serve you. Please remember to reach out to my office if you should need any assistance with a state agency. We’re here to help.