By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – New speaker, new rules.

The Illinois House, on a partisan vote, approved a new set of rules under House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside). They include term limits – five two-year terms – on the speaker and on the minority leader. There’s also a provision for remote committee activity, as is the case in the Senate.

But superminority Republicans say one thing which won’t change is the ability of controlling Democrats to kill bills.

“The chairperson (of a committee) has the authority to create subcommittees and unilaterally move a bill in or out of a subcommittee that could never have a meeting,” argued State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon).

“Bills can be moved into subcommittee by the chair,” responded House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago).

“And a subcommittee is not required to meet. Correct?” said Demmer.

“No, they are not,” Harris responded.

After that exchange, in an interview, Harris said any lawmaker – Republican or Democrat – should follow this advice:

“Work your bills!”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]