SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — May has started off with controversy at the Illinois Capitol. Republican lawmakers are furious that Democratic leaders filed, passed and signed a plan into law within 30 hours to give themselves an advantage for the November election.
There is a common phase in Springfield that anything can happen in May, but Republicans from the House and Senate were shocked to see Democrats rush an elections omnibus bill out of both chambers this week.
"Democrats want to disenfranchise voters so that we can continue to have competitive elections through the state of Illinois," said Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria). "It is absolutely ridiculous."
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House Democrats introduced the plan Wednesday to ban local political organizations from appointing candidates to run against incumbent lawmakers under unique circumstances.
"Currently, a party can slate an individual 75 days after the primary even if that individual did not file petitions for the primary election or did not conduct a write-in campaign," said Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea).
Republican lawmakers believe the immediate prohibition on slating candidates will allow multiple house Democrats to easily win re-election this fall.
"We are better than this," stressed Senate GOP Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove). "On our side of the aisle, we are going to stay better than this. This is patently unfair and undemocratic."
Senate Bill 2412 also adds three non-binding referendum questions to the November ballot, including whether or not people think insurance companies should cover fertility treatment. Voters will also be asked if they think candidates for public office should face civil charges if they interfere with election workers. Illinoisans could decide if the state constitution should be amended to create a 3% tax on income greater than $1 million and dedicate the funds to property tax relief as well.
There is a common phase in Springfield that anything can happen in May, but Republicans from the House and Senate were shocked to see Democrats rush an elections omnibus bill out of both chambers in May.
"I appreciate the seriousness with which you're debating this," said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). "I, for one, would like to put an end to a practice that was abused by prior practitioners and move forward in the spirit of democracy."
House and Senate Republicans voted present on the proposal out of protest. Three Senate Democrats and four House Democrats voted against the change.
House Bill 2412 took effect once Gov. JB Pritzker signed the legislation into law and submitted it to the Secretary of State's office early Friday morning.
"We're playing by the rules. We're fine with raising our numbers and bringing balance to state government through the correct process," said House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). "But this is not a correct process to do so, to take away slating opportunities."
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