The Illinois House was in Springfield on Thursday, holding hearings and positioning bills for future action. They adjourned without any progress on a final FY16 budget agreement.
Here are the highlights of this week’s action:
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The Illinois House convened a Committee of the Whole to hear testimony from mental health advocates and law enforcement officials about the need to continue funding for mental health services. After the testimony, the House took action to approve HB 4150, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), a budget bill that included $12 million for police training, $5 million for victim assistance, $85 million for mental health services not covered by consent decrees, and $82 million for Early Intervention Services for toddlers age 0-3.
In addition, the House Executive Committee approved a more expansive spending bill,SB 2046, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton (D- Chicago), that the Senate approved two weeks ago. The bill authorized $3.8 billion in spending for a variety of human services programs —such as health department grants and payments for community care — along with authorizing payment of lottery winnings of more than $25,000 and payment of $582 million in gasoline taxes owed to local governments. The bill was not brought for a vote before the full House.
Rep. Bradley (D- Marion) brought forward HB 685, House Amendment #1 to the floor which sought to freeze property taxes for two years. The Amendment was adopted by a vote of 41-16-8. House Amendment #2 to HB 685, a measure to eliminate certain subjects of collective bargaining and eliminate prevailing wage on certain projects, was rejected by a vote of 0-60-0. HB 685, with the property tax freeze amendment within, moves to third reading.
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A look ahead
The House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Springfield on Oct. 20. The Senate is back in session Oct. 6. Keep watching Under the Dome for important updates on legislative action.