By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – After the Illinois Senate adjourned its spring session – one day late – it was time Tuesday evening to hit the spin room, and Republicans wasted no time hammering on the supermajority Democrats.
“The lack of transparency has been stunning,” said State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield). “It’s not just the transparency that escapes us; it’s the transparency that’s been escaping the public.”
Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) hit harder. “It is clear from the majority’s lack of engagement that they don’t even pretend to care what’s important to the three million-plus Illinoisans that (Republicans) represent,” he said They have silenced those people’s voices again and again: through redistricting, by stifling debate, and then through this budget.”
State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), his caucus’ budget negotiator, said introducing a budget in the middle of the night and passing it in both chambers with no committee hearing is a new low.
For his part, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) focused on what he saw as his party’s accomplishments, including a possible breakthrough in negotiations between Gov. JB Pritzker and energy giant Exelon toward a major bill which could get a vote when lawmakers are back in Springfield – maybe yet this month.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
