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Revival of Workers' Comp Bill a Tale of Persuasion
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Everyone on the Illinois House floor watched the vote climb when an overhaul of the state workers' compensation system was resurrected last week in the Legislature.

Ultimately, it passed with two votes to spare, a classic tale of power and persuasion in Springfield at a time of serious questions about the state's business climate.

The overhaul needed 60 votes to pass, five more than it had gotten when it failed in a first attempt two days earlier.

But after that, key supporters spent hours pleading and twisting arms. The main sponsor threatened that the system could be abolished entirely instead.

And House Speaker Michael Madigan summoned holdouts to his office for some of the personal persuasion for which he is legendary.

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