© 2024 WNIJ and WNIU
Northern Public Radio
801 N 1st St.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-9000
Northern Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Lawmakers Get Back To The Grind Today

Illinois Public Radio

Illinois legislators took a weekend break, but there are major issues unresolved heading toward their May 31 adjournment.

A handful of Gov. Bruce Rauner's initiatives were introduced -- term limits, restrictions on where lawsuits can be filed, minimizing what companies are responsible for when it comes to workers' compensation claims, and a property tax freeze.

"It's time that we get down to business and really start making a difference in how we do business in the state," Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno said.

The governor threatened a long, overtime session if his plan doesn't fly.

Democratic Rep. Jack Franks of Marengo was not happy.

"And he says you've got five days, take it or leave it, or you're here all summer," Franks said. "That process stinks."

If you can't tell, there's a deep divide.

Even after Governor Bruce Rauner introduced a formal plan to restructure Illinois' workers compensation system, the Illinois House took a series of votes designed to show there isn't support for it to pass.

Several measures that encapsulated Rauner's ideas were defeated -- with Democrats voting no, and Republicans voting "present." Shortly after the vote, separate workers' comp legislation was filed on the governor's behalf.

Rauner says it's a "compromise" version. He scaled back a plan so half of a worker's injury would have to be proven to be employment-related instead of a full injury.

The legislative session resumes this afternoon.

  • Amanda Vinicky contributed to this report.
Related Stories