A message from State Rep. Mike Tryon:

This week, legislators are returning to Springfield for the Fall Veto Session. During these two weeks, members of the Illinois House and Senate will reconsider bills that were approved earlier in the year, but which received either a partial or full veto by Governor Pat Quinn. It is also likely that some other high-profile issues will be discussed.

Below is a summary of the bills that are likely to come before the House and Senate during veto session:

HB4673: This bill prohibits denial of FOID cards to local enforcement officials who have sought mental treatment. Governor Quinn issued an amendatory or partial veto. The Governor’s veto would eliminate a core provision of the bill that would permit an active law enforcement officer to be eligible for and to retain a FOID Card if he/she has been a patient in a mental institution. He provides instead a relief process through which the officers could voluntarily seek professional mental health assistance without the fear of losing their job. I voted in favor of the original bill.

HB5207: This bill provides that if a statewide petition for a statewide advisory referendum question includes at least 95% of the projected required number of valid signatures, the petition will be deemed valid. Governor Quinn issued an amendatory veto. While he left the language of the original bill untouched, he added a new section that would establish a petition initiative and binding referendum to enact ordinances that assist veterans. I voted in favor of this original bill.

SB681: This bill amends the FOID Card Act to allow residents with a valid FOID card the ability to purchase ammunition through the mail within Illinois. Previously, residents could purchase ammunition by mail from other states, but not within Illinois. The Governor issued an amendatory veto, but then gutted the bill and replaced it with an assault weapons ban. I voted in favor of this bill in its original form.

SB1849: Senate Bill 1849 allows the State to award five additional licenses to operate riverboat casinos at specified locations throughout Illinois. The bill also authorizes a Chicago casino and the operation of slot machines at Illinois racetracks. It is estimated that SB 1849 would raise estimated gaming tax revenue of $200 million a year, with additional one-time revenues through the awarding of the additional gaming licenses. The bill would also provide funding for many agricultural programs and the State Fairgrounds. Governor Quinn issued a full veto of this bill, pointing to the absence of a ban on campaign contributions by gaming licensees and casino managers. I voted against the bill, and while I am not opposed to a MODEST expansion of gambling, I feel strongly that revenues from any expansion need to be earmarked at least in part toward a pension stabilization fund.

SB2945: Whereas today Illinois residents have the right to smoke or use tobacco off the premises of their place of employment, this bill carves out an exception and grants health care providers from certain fields of treatment the right to take employment action against employees who use tobacco products. Governor Quinn issued a total veto of this bill, claiming it was unfair and did not include due-process provisions for those who could be affected. I voted in favor of this original bill.

SB3442: This bill creates the Plastic Bag and Film Recycling Act and requires manufacturers of plastic carryout bags to register their product with the EPA. It further requires manufactures to create a plan to support the collection and recycling of plastic carryout bags and plastic film wrap. The Governor issued a total veto of the bill, and said because the Act denies home rule communities the opportunity to ban plastic bags entirely. I was a chief co-sponsor of this bill and supported it.

It is possible that some of the following issues may also be discussed during Veto Session:

Revenue Enhancement for Education and New Higher Education Tax Credit
HB5342 and HB5440 passed the Senate in the final hours of the spring session in May. The bills impose (1) a tax on energy companies that operate in the Gulf of Mexico and outer continental shelf with the revenues earmarked to support a higher education tax credit, an (2) a new 5% tax on satellite television companies with revenues earmarked to the Education Assistance Fund.

AFSCME Contract and SB1313 Retiree Health Insurance
Members of the AFSCME union have been working without a contract since June 30. While negotiations continue, $300 million less was allocated to the State’s Group Health Insurance program in anticipation of negotiated reductions in benefit costs. It is likely that a supplemental appropriation will be requested.

Repeal of Medicaid Expansion Moratorium language
It is expected that legislation will be introduced to remove the Medicaid expansion moratorium that expires in 2015.

U.S. Supreme Court-Mandatory Life without Parole for Juveniles Unconstitutional
It was found in U.S. Supreme Court that a mandatory life sentence with parole for defendants under 18 years of age violates the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Legislation may be presented to conform Illinois’ sentencing statutes to the Court’s decision.

Date Change for Filing Period of Nomination Materials (Christmas Eve Bill)
This year the filing period for nomination materials for the spring consolidated election falls on Christmas Eve, which would require schools and clerk’s offices to be open on Christmas Eve to process the materials. Efforts are underway to change the filing date for this year to December 26th.

DHS Disabled Adult Death Investigation- Legislative Response
Based on an investigative article which suggested that the DHS Inspector General was not investigating the deaths of disabled adults in spite of allegations of abuse. DHS is investigating the agency’s inaction and will likely seek a legislative remedy to strengthen accountability in the department.

Extension of the Medical Practice Act
The Medical Practice Act will sunset on December 31, 2012. It is likely that legislation will move to the House to extend the Act.

Farmland Values
The Illinois Farm Bureau is proposing to amend the Farmland Assessment Act to bring the assessed values in line with the original intent of the Law and allow the statutory formula to be more effective in determining the income potential of all farmland.

Fracking Regulation
Negotiations are taking place regarding chemical disclosure, trade secret protections, well construction, and environmental safety, and new proposals may surface during Veto Session.

Lame Duck Session Scheduled for January 3-6
Legislators have already been told there will be a lame duck session from January 3-6, 2013, where some of the more volatile issues may be debated and voted upon. With approximately 35 of the General Assembly’s 177 members not returning to office next year, it has become common practice for the less popular issues to be pushed through with the votes of lame duck legislators. Personally I do not support lame duck activity. I believe it is a disservice to the citizens of Illinois to have issues with far-reaching consequences voted on by legislators preparing to leave office.

However, I would not be surprised to see legislation for a pension cost-shift brought up during the lame duck session. A House Bill that provides for borrowing $4 billion to pay overdue State bills is also likely to be debated. Other volatile legislation that may be considered before lame duck legislators leave office includes legislation to permit controlled use of medical marijuana, and a measure to allow the issuance of driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.

I will continue to update you as these issues move through the legislative process, and as always, if my staff or I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to call my Crystal Lake office at 815-459-6453.

Sincerely,

Michael W. Tryon
State Representative – District 64