SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers will return to the state capitol for the first week of veto session next week.
Legislators on both sides of the aisle hope to see action on a plan to lift the moratorium on nuclear construction that Gov. JB Pritzker vetoed. They could also address the Invest in Kids scholarship program that helps thousands of children go to private schools.
The proposal to lift the 1987 ban on nuclear construction gained strong bipartisan support this spring to allow the state to take advantage of new carbon-free technology and build advanced nuclear reactors. Senate Bill 76 passed out of both chambers easily.
"We worked together hand in hand with the environmental community, with labor, with business to find and seek solutions to address Illinois' energy issues," said Rep. Larry Walsh (D-Joliet). "I think we did that with an open mind amongst all parties."
Although, Gov. Pritzker felt the bill's language could allow construction of large nuclear facilities, which was not the original intent of the legislation. Many Illinois environmental groups also argue that the plan did not have enough regulatory protections.
"We do want to see small modular reactors as they become available allow us to build factories, manufacturing and other things that need a lot of power in Central and Southern Illinois where nuclear power isn't normally available and where you'd have to draw some significant transmission lines to those locations," Pritzker said Thursday. "You don't need that with SMRs. So that is what I'd like to see introduced."
Lead sponsors of the legislation hope to see the House and Senate override Pritzker's veto. However, they know it will be challenging to get support from 71 representatives and 36 senators. It's currently unknown if there will be enough support for lawmakers to override Pritzker's veto or pass a separate plan he would be willing to sign.
Another hot topic will be the state's scholarship program helping low-income families send their kids to private schools. The controversial Invest in Kids tax credit program is set to expire on New Year's Eve unless lawmakers pass a plan soon.
Democratic lawmakers have been silent about the issue since session ended this spring while Republicans and many Catholic leaders are worried about the program coming to an end.
“Tax credit scholarships are so important because they fund the majority of our students,” said Kris Cavanagh, the advancement director at St. Patrick School in Springfield. “This program is extremely vital to the continued existence of St. Pat's as many of our families could not afford to attend without these scholarships. The ability to choose an appropriate school for your child's needs shouldn't be a privilege, and the Tax Credit Scholarship Program makes this possible for parents to do just that.”
Pritzker shocked many people on both sides of the issue Thursday by telling reporters at an unrelated event that he will agree to extend the program if lawmakers send a bill to his desk during in the coming weeks.
"I can't imagine it will show up in some form that I would be unwilling to," Pritzker explained. "But again, the reality is that the legislature needs to go through this process and I've said that from the very beginning."
Yet, the governor's new stance on the scholarship program is facing intense scrutiny from the state's two major educator unions. The Illinois Federation of Teachers and Illinois Education Association said Friday morning that Pritzker has chosen to side with anti-public education Republican governors in other states by supporting the voucher program.
"This is especially disappointing because there is no evidence that these policies are beneficial for students. The fundamental values of public schools are centered around inclusivity, equality, and fairness," said IFT President Dan Montgomery and IEA President Al Llorens. "It is disheartening to witness the leader of our state endorsing a policy that goes against these core principles or considering funding private schools when 80% of public schools remain underfunded."
Lawmakers could also potentially pass a plan to allow legislative staff to unionize. The House Executive Committee is scheduled to discuss that proposal Tuesday morning.
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