By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois legislative staffers would be allowed to form a union… if a bill that’s passed a House committee becomes law.

In debate in the House Executive Committee, State Rep. Ryan Spain had questions for Speaker Chris Welch, who is sponsoring the bill but whose staffers ran the organizing effort.

“I think of pivotal moments in the legislature that often occur at odd hours of the night,” Spain said. “Think of the Safe-T Act, for example. Lame duck session, middle of the night votes.”

“The way this bill is written,” responded Welch, “there will be no bargaining over calendars and schedules and how the legislature would operate.”

Staff member Kelly Kupris read a list of the duties involved before announcing the resuts of a survey.

“84 percent of us have strug to pay bills. 74 percent feel we would not have adequate savings to cover a financial emergency. 37 percent have taken second jobs to supplement income. 32 percent have taken out debt to make ends meet.

“This brings up the point of turnover,” she continued. “The speaker’s office is experiencing historically high levels of turnover. It appears as if there is a goal of having a revolving door of staff.”

All while sitting two people away from Welch himself.

HB 4148 has passed the House Executive Committee, 8-0-4.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].