THE ILLINOIZE: Pritzker's laundry list of free stuff...Dems strike deal on assault weapons...Some really good lawmakers leave Springfield today
January 10, 2023
Good morning, Illinois.
Welcome to the final day of the 102nd General Assembly. It doesn’t feel at all like two years ago when we were sequestered at the Bank of Springfield Center waiting on the fate of Michael Madigan and with the SAFE-T Act debated in the Senate in the middle of the night. While the assault weapon ban isn’t completely soup yet, it looks in pretty good shape to move in the House today.
I suppose this space also requires some mention of Bruno Mars, so Uptown Funk you up.
The Senate is in at 11:30. The House is scheduled to gavel in at noon. The Governor does not have anything on his public schedule.
We’ll be in Springfield monitoring developments today, and paid subscribers will get a heads up as things unfold. You can become a paid subscriber and be on the inside by clicking below.
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FREE COLLEGE, PRESCHOOL, AND CHILD CARE ON PRITZKER’S AGENDA
Governor JB Pritzker was sworn in to his second term Monday, laying out expensive proposals for free college, preschool, and child care as his top priorities.
Taking the oath shortly after noon Monday at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Pritzker spent nearly the first half of his 25 minute inaugural address looking back on successes of his first term.
“We balanced the budget and got credit upgrades. We raised the minimum wage. We’re modernizing our transportation systems. We legalized cannabis. We protected reproductive freedom in our laws,” Pritzker said. “One of the realities I learned about being a Governor is that there is no permanent playbook to follow. Every four years brings different challenges than the four years past.”
Pritzker laid out a plan for free child care, preschool, and college in his plan.
“Quality childcare affords parents the opportunity to work or attend school and pursue greater economic security. And preschool improves academic success for our children, yields higher graduation rates, raises lifetime earnings potential, and saves taxpayers money,” he said. “That’s why I propose we go all in for our children and make preschool available to every family throughout the state.”
He also wants to make college tuition free for “working class” families.
“That’s why we need to bring down the cost of higher education. Since I took office we’ve increased scholarships by more than 50%,” he said. “Now let’s focus on making tuition free for every working-class family.”
Pritzker didn’t lay out a specific plan, but has previously indicated he supports college for families below the poverty line. He also proposed making child care free and accessible for families across the state.
No price estimate was included in the address, but Pritzker’s ideas likely reach into the millions or tens of millions.
Pritzker also proposed permanent tax relief, but didn’t lay out any details.
“We’ve done a lot on this in recent years. Balancing the budget, paying off debt and eliminating interest on overdue bills has made it possible for us to provide tax relief. Let’s work toward more permanent tax relief,” he said. “Improving our roads has saved hundreds of dollars a year for drivers, which matters even more when you know that one flat tire or one auto repair can lead to a genuine fiscal emergency or even the loss of a job for many people.”
“Where does he think all of this money is coming from?” one Republican legislator asked when we spoke last night. “Money doesn’t grow on trees and the COVID dollars will run out at some point soon.”
Pritzker also laid out enshrining abortion rights in the Illinois constitution.
He’ll present a budget to the General Assembly next month and we’ll see how much of his wish list is serious and how much will stay a wish.
DEMS SETTLE ON ASSAULT WEAPON BAN
After contentious back and forth between Governor JB Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch, and Senate President Don Harmon over a Senate version of an assault weapon ban progressives say didn’t go far enough, all sides came together late Monday on a plan to ban assault weapons, require registration of existing assault weapon serial numbers, and limiting the size of magazines on all guns.
Harmon, who presented the bill in the Senate, said it is time to take high powered rifles off the streets.
“We have been dealing with gun violence, in all fashions, for far too long,” he said. “What we believe is the proliferation and ready access to high powered weapons that have an original basis in military and combat have no place in common commerce and on our streets.”
Democrats were in an internal war leading up to the introduction of the final Senate bill, but a statement from Harmon, Welch, and the Governor eased the internal strife.
“After continued negotiations between the leaders, stakeholders and advocates, we have reached a deal on one of the strongest assault weapons bans in the country. Gun violence is an epidemic that is plaguing every corner of this state and the people of Illinois are demanding substantive action. With this legislation we are delivering on the promises Democrats have made and, together, we are making Illinois’ gun laws a model for the nation.”
Republicans pushed back on the constitutionality and necessity for a ban impacting gun owners who don’t break gun laws.
Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said law enforcement and prosecutors should be enforcing existing gun laws.
Why don’t we go after the bad guys, put them behind bars, and actually keep them there? Put the bad guys behind bars, not the taxpayers, not the citizens,” he said.
The bill passed the Senate 34-20.
Four Democrats voted against the bill, including lame ducks Sen. Eric Mattson (D-Joliet) and Sen. Kris Tharp (D-Bethalto). Swing district Democrats Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) also voted against the bill. Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) “took a walk” and didn’t vote on the legislation. No Republicans supported the bill.
The bill bans the sale of new semi-automatic rifles in Illinois and requires serial numbers of existing assault rifles to be registered with the Illinois State Police.
Furthermore, the bill would includes an immediate ban on the “manufacture, delivery, purchase, or sale” of most semi-automatic rifles, similar to AR-15 style rifles. It’s unclear how that would impact Illinois-based gun makers like Springfield Armory in Geneseo.
But it appears the issue will be settled by the courts.
“We are gonna get an immediate stay on this,” said Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia). “And this will be deemed unconstitutional.”
Todd Vandermyde, a retired former NRA lobbyist who still actively works on gun issues, says he’s confident the ban, as written, will be struck down by the courts.
“We warned them over their carry fight and they laughed and we won,” he said. “Since they’re playing with taxpayer money and not their own, they seem to have as much contempt for taxpayers as they do for the constitution. We look forward to our day in court.”
The feeling appears to be mutual.
“We’ll see ya in court,” Harmon said.
The House is expected to take up the bill sometime today.
WHEN THE GOOD ONES GO
I spend a lot of time in this newsletter kicking around politicians on both sides of the aisle, because one of the things I promised myself (and you) when we started this newsletter two-and-a-half years ago was an honest assessment of what is going on and to hold everyone’s feet to the fire.
But, in general, there are a lot of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who I respect the hell out of. On this final day of the 102nd General Assembly, we’re losing a bunch of them, whether they’re resigning, they lost re-election, or lost a primary, and I just wanted to mention a few of them.
The House is losing Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs). He’s been the target of attacks from the right flank of his party for years, partially kneecapping his ability to move the caucus forward. He also wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed in, whether it be smacking around COVID deniers or voting for an assault weapon ban. We’re going to miss a principled leader like Jim Durkin.
Three other House Republicans are leaving after losing bids for higher office last year. Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville), who, by the way, is still just 30, can do whatever she wants to do in the world. She’s bright and kind and compassionate and that heart will be missed in Springfield. I’ll also be sad to see Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) and Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) leave, both who were bright policy focused workhorses in the House.
Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) also deserves a mention. He’s one of the smartest, hardest working, deeply committed members on either side of the aisle. He was constantly genial even when everyone in politics seemed to want to hit each other with lead pipes. Republicans will miss him as floor leader. The same could be said about Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), who made debates and bills better by using her exceptional skills in debate to unwind many complicated issues, even if Democrats hated it.
Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) is likely the most impactful loss on either side of the aisle this year. Zalewski is one of the few lawmakers who could get big stuff done, speak moderately about fiscal issues, and get along with members on both sides of the aisle. I know he was the guy Republicans knew they could talk to if they really wanted to get something done. We need more people like Z, not fewer.
As I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve also become a big fan of Rep. Denyse Wang-Stoneback (D-Skokie). She’s smart and committed and, while way to the left of where my issues land, I always appreciated where she was coming from.
Finally, in the Senate, I’m sad to see my friend Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) leaving. Most of you know I ran his first race in 2012 and we’ve been friend since before that. I’ve given him heck over the years when I thought he could be doing things differently or doing more to make a difference, but the truth is, very few Republicans have gotten as much big stuff done in the last decade as Barickman.
I hoped we would see Barickman and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger move up in the world as Republicans who could speak to people who disagree with the party. Guys like that could help the party have direction for years to come.
Best wishes to these legislators and the ones I didn’t mention, and here’s to making money, having less stress, and enjoying more Memorial Day weekends with family.
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My favorite Bruno Mars song ever, my grandkids think I am swearing when I sing it! Good to shock the grandkids from time to time!
Durkin is a great guy. Sad to see him go. The photo you posted is why he is leaving. The fall out from Z continues.