Illinois Democrats hold victory lap press conference after passing unemployment fund bill

Posted on March 24, 2022
Gov. Pritzker spoke Thursday afternoon. (Photo courtesy: Mike Miletich/HOI)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Democrats congratulated themselves Thursday afternoon on the bill that replenishes the unemployment fund.  Illinois Republicans wondered why.

The $2.7 billion dollar payment – representing only half the fund’s shortage – passed both chambers on a partisan vote, and State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) said they’re doing it wrong.

“Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri – they all used enough of their ARPA funds to completely solve their problem,” Stoller said around the same time that Gov. JB Pritzker, in his office two floors above, shared a differing viewpoint.

“It appears to me that the Republicans are acting at every turn, in some fashion, that they think will benefit them politically. They’re wrong. The people of Illinois want us to pay our bills. That’s what we’re doing.”

Pritzker said as for the impact on unemployment benefits … he doesn’t know, but said that’s for labor and business to work out in the coming weeks.

Speaking of labor and business, while Pritzker lauded their leadership and involvement, State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) said Pritzker’s misleading you. She said labor and business actually oppose the bill as passed, but they wouldn’t say so, adding Democrats had a figurative gun to their heads.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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