SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers are heading home for the year after wrapping up their six days of veto session.
The House and Senate will return to Springfield in early January to finish leftover work and pass plans to address the incoming Trump administration.
Yet, House Republicans are upset Democrats are still holding the lame duck session. They argued that nothing good comes out of the short period of time where lawmakers can pass plans like the SAFE-T Act and assault weapons ban.
"This pattern leaves law-abiding taxpayers to defend their civil rights in court against their own state, baring the financial and emotional burdens of these legislative oversights," Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) said Thursday. "The lame duck session is fertile ground for rushed and ill-considered legislation."
House GOP Leader Tony McCombie said the House needs bipartisan legislation that focuses on the issues Illinois families care about most. The Savana Republican said her caucus will oppose a lame duck session until the Democratic majority can get their priorities in order.
A spokesperson for House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch said Democrats remain committed to delivering lasting results for all of Illinois and continuing the people's work in January.
"House Republicans oppose affordable, accessible health care. They oppose protecting our environment and reproductive care," said Jaclyn Driscoll. "They oppose public education, child care assistance, common-sense and lifesaving gun reform, and affordable housing. They've voted against making college more affordable and an increase in MAP grant funding. They oppose labor rights. They've opposed multiple balanced budgets that returned our state to A-level credit."
Driscoll told WAND News it isn't surprising to learn that House Republicans oppose coming to work altogether.
Lame duck session is scheduled for January 2-7. The 104th General Assembly will be inaugurated on January 8.
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