đź’° The Most Expensive Veto Session in Illinois History đź’°
This week’s update takes a look back at Week 2 of Veto Session — the most expensive in Illinois history. In just a few days, Democrat leaders pushed through a massive 1,000-page “Green New Giveaway” energy package that will cost electric users at least $8 billion, followed by a $2 billion fund sweep and tollway increase to bail out the Chicago public transit system. While Springfield spent taxpayer dollars at record speed, I was grateful to host Bishop Kyle Blackerby of Catch the Fire Church in Cowden, who delivered Wednesday’s House invocation.
-Brad
Veto Session Cheat Sheet
During the first week of Veto Session, Democrat leaders took up political theater instead of working on real reform. Then during the second week, rammed through many important issues with little to no time to review or complete legislation to follow along with.
Here are some of the biggest issues tackled or delayed by the legislature this Veto Session:
Bills that passed both Chambers:
SB 25: Green New Energy Bill- Under the guise of “green energy,” Illinoisans will see higher rates, fewer good-paying private union jobs, and a less reliable energy supply.
SB 2111: RTA Bailout- Sweeps funds from the Road Fund to be designated for transit projects, equaling a nearly $2.5 B plan.
HB 576: Public Official Safety and Privacy Act- protects public officials from doxing or being at a security risk, redacting personal information that can be used to harm the public official or their family.
HB 1836: Clean Slate Act- allows certain crimes to be eligible for automatic sealing
SB 1911: Decoupling of state and federal taxes/ STAR bonds- decouples state and federal taxes, allowing state tax rates to exceed federal tax rates.
SB 1950: Physician assisted suicide- allows patients with certain terminal diagnoses to request medication to assist with ending their life.
Bills failed to pass both Chambers:
SB 1937: Pension reform bill- would work to fund the $144 B pension funding shortfall.
HB 575: Elections omnibus bill- would target different election requirements and procedures.
HB 3799: Homeowners’ insurance reform bill- would work to reform the homeowners’ insurance rate increases.
⚡The “Green New Giveaway” Passes the House
Late Wednesday night, House Democrats pushed through their so-called green energy package — a deal that will cost Illinois families at least $8 billion, drive up utility rates, and hand control of our state’s energy policy to a small group of unelected bureaucrats.
There are no long-term cost controls, meaning higher bills, fewer good-paying private union jobs, and a less reliable power grid for years to come.
Illinois deserves energy independence and affordability, not another costly political experiment.
🚨Late-Night Bailout in Springfield —The most expensive Veto Session in the history of Illinois.
After facing backlash over their ridiculous amusement tax and event surcharge proposals to bail out Chicago mass transit, Democrats quietly changed their bill last night — so quietly, they didn’t even have the amendment language ready when it was called in committee.
The measure passed in the middle of the night, on the final day of veto session, with zero time for the public or stakeholders to review it.
These shady tactics erode what little trust remains in state government. There was no reason to rush this bailout except to avoid scrutiny.
Once again, Democrats put politics before people — and Illinois families deserve better.
Halbrook Invites Bishop Kyle Blackerby to Springfield for House Invocation