Springfield shuffle

HJRCA44: Constitutional amendment would change how redistricting is done

Provides that the Senate by resolution (instead of the General Assembly by law) shall divide the Legislative Districts into 3 groups for the election of Senators. Provides that Legislative and Representative Districts shall reflect minority voting strengths and consider political boundaries (as well as be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population). Provides that, by June 30 in the year following each Federal decennial census year, the Senate and House, each by resolution adopted by three-fifths of the members elected, shall redistrict the Legislative and Representative Districts, respectively. If a resolution is not filed with the Secretary of State by June 30, provides that a Legislative District or a Representative District Redistricting Commission shall be appointed and the Commission has until July 31 to redistrict the Legislative Districts or Representative Districts, as applicable.

House approved: 98-10-1
Fox Valley yes votes: Chapa LaVia, Cross, Dunn, Lindner, Schmitz
Fox Valley no votes: Pritchard
Read a story on the amendment here.

SJRCA92: Constitutional amendment would allow for graduated income tax

Authorizes a tax on or measured by income to be at a graduated rate (now, all taxes on or measured by income shall be at a non-graduated rate). Provides that, in any such tax imposed upon corporations, the rate shall not exceed the weighted average rate imposed on individuals by more than a ratio of 8 to 5.

Senate denied: 19-35-1
Fox Valley yes votes: none
Fox Valley no votes: Holmes, Hultgren, Lauzen, Millner
Did note vote: Burzynski
Read a story on the amendment here.

HB5191: FOID cards could be revoked from parents deemed "irresponsible"

Provides that the Department of State Police may revoke a Firearm Owner's Identification Card of a parent or guardian of a person under 21 years of age who is unable to prevent his or her child under 21 years of age from gaining access to a firearm or ammunition, or both, when (1) the child upon 2 occasions has had possession of his or her parent or guardian's firearm or ammunition, or both, without the parent or guardian's permission and (2) the child met the criteria for severe or major mood disorder or severe conduct disorder...

House approved: 74-36
Fox Valley yes votes: Chapa LaVia, Cross, Pritchard, Schmitz
Fox Valley no votes: Dunn, Lindner
Read a story on the legislation here.

SJRCA70: Amendment would allow voters to recall state and local officeholders.

Provides for elections to recall State executive branch officers, members of the General Assembly, Supreme, Appellate, and Circuit Judges, and elected salaried officers of units of local government. Requires a complaint by the Judicial Inquiry Board before recall of a judge may be initiated. Provides for successor elections to fill the vacant term of a recalled officer, member, or judge.

Senate denied: 33-19-2 (needed 36 votes)
Fox Valley votes yes: Burzynski (co-sponsor), Holmes, Hultgren (co-sponsor), Millner
Fox Valley votes no: none
Did not vote: Lauzen
Read a story on the amendment here.

HB5278: Prevents some officials from making political endorsements.

Prohibits county clerks and members of boards of election commissioners from making public endorsements of candidates and public questions on ballots solely of political subdivisions within their election jurisdiction.

House approved: 63-48
Fox Valley yes votes: Chapa LaVia (co-sponsor), Cross, Lindner
Fox Valley no votes: Dunn, Pritchard, Schmitz
Read a story on the legislation here.