House republicans want immediate vote on Gov. Pritzker’s plan

 

As the Illinois General Assembly reconvenes, house republicans want Restore Illinois on the table. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – As the Illinois General Assembly convenes in Springfield this week, House Republicans want one of the first items to be a vote on Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan.

“We were one of the first states to go on lockdown, and now we have the most restrictions in place,” said State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield). “When we are asking for a vote on Restore Illinois, we need the General Assembly to have a voice in this. The General Assembly has had no voice in this whatsoever. We think the governor needs to come to the G.A. and help craft plans, because we don’t think his Restore Illinois plan is right.”

Butler said he does not think the Democrats, who hold a supermajority in both chambers, will allow a vote.

And, complaining about the problems with the state’s unemployment web site, State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) cracked, “You want a plan? I’ll give you a plan. Put people back to work! That’ll take them off the need of having unemployment.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…