Report From State Representative Barbara Wheeler

We had quite the busy week down in Springfield.  Speaker Madigan called for two "weekly order of business" this week, leading to lively, and oftentimes heated debate.  A "weekly order of business" is a procedure that can be called by the speaker to dedicate legislative business on a particular topic.  The two topics discussed were conceal and carry and pension reform.  This is how the debate progressed during session:

Conceal and Carry

First, a little background.  This past December, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Shepard v. Madigan and Moore v. Madigan that Illinois' current ban on conceal and carry is federally unconstitutional.  The court then decided to give the Illinois General Assembly until June 6 to pass a conceal and carry law or else face no restrictions on carrying weapons in the State of Illinois.  In light of this ruling, it is prudent that we pass a conceal and carry bill with sensible restrictions in order to be in compliance with the court.

House Bill 1155 was introduced as a vehicle for conceal and carry legislation.  Twenty-seven amendments were filed to the bill, with each to be debated and voted on.  Some of these amendments were sensible, such as no guns in schools or child-care facilities.  Others were unacceptable, such as requiring a $1 million insurance policy in order to obtain a conceal and carry permit.

The debate lasted for hours and at times led to legislators shouting at one another.  As the hour grew late and legislators grew tired, many of the amendment's sponsors withdrew their amendments.  Finally, around 9:30 p.m., we reached Amendment 27.  Amendment 27 is the same language of House Bill 997, which I am a co-sponsor of.  This bill has been properly negotiated and will soon be vetted in committee.  Keep in mind, it is prudent that we pass a conceal and carry bill in order to remain in compliance with the courts.

At the end of the day, no final action was taken up on conceal and carry.  However, the June 6th deadline still looms.  I am a firm believer that House Bill 997 is the most sensible piece of legislation that will allow us to be in compliance with the court's ruling while also allowing our citizens to protect themselves with their 2nd Amendment rights.

Pension Reform

Illinois' pension woes have been well documented over the past several years.  It goes without saying that nearly $100 billion in unfunded liability is unacceptable.  We must find the political bravery to do what is right.  Unfortunately, what was discussed in the Illinois House this week was more political theater than bravery.

Speaker Madigan's second "weekly order of business" came in the form of four amendments on two bills, House Bills 1154 and 1165.  Should this drastic of a reform pass, many of those who spent their careers teaching our children and protecting our streets would be forced to take drastic measures just to afford groceries each month.

Despite what many of the doom and gloomers out there may tell you, there is a responsible approach to reforming our pension system that is fair to our taxpayers and public servants.  This week, I signed on to a pension reform bill that is bipartisan, fair, and comprehensive.  House Bill 3411 is a large step in the right direction.  The proposal will:

• Stabilize the system by reforming Tier 1 members
• Creates predictability, fairness, and local control by reforming Tier 2 members
• Creates a Tier 3
• Ensures the benefits will be there by making employer contributions and funding guarantees

Pension reform is not an easy pill to swallow.  It is going to take shared sacrifice from all parties.  
The key word to every decision we make this session is courage.  If we drum up the courage to do what is right for the people of Illinois, we can finally put ourselves back on the track towards fiscal solvency.

Once again, thank you so much for reading my newsletter.  I look forward to speaking with you next week, once the governor gives his budget address so I can give my analysis.  Until then, have a wonderful weekend.