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IL Lawmakers See Big Accomplishments in 5 Months
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- When Illinois lawmakers adjourned last week, they wrapped up a five-month stretch ranking among the Legislature's most productive in decades.

They tackled the state's woeful budget by setting a spending limit and sticking to it. They approved a huge expansion of gambling. They overhauled workers' compensation, trimmed teachers' job security and approved higher electric rates to pay for modernizing the state power grid.

The Democratic majority drew up new Democrat-friendly political districts.
And all that came after they raised income taxes, legalized civil unions and abolished the death penalty in January.

Political timing played a part in the flood of legislation. The presence of a new Chicago mayor helped, as did the absence of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Looking back, Democratic Rep. Frank Mautino said, ``Wow. It's like Christmas.''

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
06 04 11 by Newsroom
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