(The Center Square) – The 103rd Illinois General Assembly is in the past as legislators wrap up lame duck session.
During the four-day lame duck session that included the capital city being hit with a blizzard, legislators approved a slew of new bills ready to be sent to the governor.
One dealt with orders of protection, requiring police confiscate firearms in certain cases. Another dealt with more oversight of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Yet another would repeal the requirement to publish legal name changes.
“We have concluded the work of the Senate of the 103rd General Assembly,” said Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park. “I will note with pride, we have done so with very little drama and shortly after noon, not midnight.”
State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said the measures preparing to head to the governor’s desk aren’t good for constituents.
“We’re not talking about helping people put food on their kids’ tables. We’re not talking about economic instability of this state. We’re not talking about the debt crisis that’s looming. You’re not talking about crime,” Rose said during a news conference Monday. “Again, you’re not talking about food prices.”
The total number of bills filed over the past two years was nearly 10,000. Legislators approved about 500.
During House floor debate Tuesday, state Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, said all of this comes with a daily taxpayer cost.
“Just in per diem alone in the lame duck session as far as the cost to the taxpayers, it’s a little over $120,000, give or take,” Miller said.
Adding in the cost of mileage, staff, utilities and materials, Miller said taxpayers are on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“This is irresponsible government at it’s finest,” Miller said.
The House continued its work into Tuesday evening before adjourning “sine die.”
The 104th General Assembly that was elected in November will be seated at noon Wednesday.
