New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual
Among the changes is a new posting requirement that provides only a one-hour notice before a committee hearing, diminishing transparency and accountability.
The Illinois House of Representatives met in Springfield on Jan. 28 to adopt new chamber rules for the 99th General Assembly – a customary procedural matter at the start of every legislative session. Unfortunately for Illinoisans, customary partisan politics also came into play.
The new rules passed the House on a vote of 70-44, with all Republican representatives in objection. Despite the recent rhetoric touting a new era of bipartisanship in Illinois, this simple matter outlining how legislative business will be conducted indicates that political polarization remains.
Among the changes is a new posting requirement, which provides only a one-hour notice before a committee hearing, diminishing transparency and accountability. Providing lawmakers with a mere 60 minutes to review and determine his or her position on legislation is a major hindrance in ensuring a truly deliberative legislative process.
Additionally, controversial changes were made regarding the appointment process for chairperson roles, for which lawmakers receive generous bonuses. It is rumored around the Statehouse that this move came from Democrat supermajority leadership as a means of maintaining a stronghold over the process of how legislation moves through the lower chamber.
Members of the Illinois General Assembly are already among the highest-paid state legislators in the country, especially when leadership bonuses are accounted for. Two-thirds of lawmakers in the House and 4 out of every 5 in the Senate receive some sort of leadership bonus.
Both chambers will be in session next week, and Gov. Bruce Rauner will deliver his State of the State address before the General Assembly on Wednesday, Feb. 4.