Legislative Update for August 6th, 2007

Session on the Floor was short this Monday with 98 members checking into the House of Representatives and a few votes being taken on some legislation, With all the preparing and negotiating for a 12 month budget that we have heard about needing to be done by Tuesday, nothing appears to be forthcoming. The Governor who was adamantly opposed to a 30-day budget is now strongly supporting that idea for August. If the majority of members cannot agree on the various specifics that are sticking points in the current budget impasse you could see some panic and a call for its passage.

The issue of casinos seems to be on the forefront as some are considering supporting a Chicago casino in exchange for votes on a capital plan and education funding. With the recent event of the tragic Minnesota bridge collapse, Illinois leaders have taken another look at what capital needs are imminent in our state to avoid a potential disaster like the one that occurred last week. How big a gambling expansion would be is unknown.

With variables such as education, casinos, mass transit and capital on the forefront, it is unclear what a new budget for Illinois will look like and who will support what elements of such a proposal. We did have an opportunity to see an education proposal that is almost agreed to and I was very excited to see that my advocacy for additional reimbursement for special education personnel is included the first raise in this level since 1985! Gifted education has at last been included as I have been a strong proponent of funding this line item which was cut out of the budget many years ago. Hopefully this is the education budget we will stick with!

Session is at 1:00 pm on Tuesday.