SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)--A state lawmaker wants to make it harder for the General Assembly to push through controversial legislation during lame-duck sessions.
Republican Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs filed a bill this week that would require lame-duck legislation to have the votes of three-fifths of the House and Senate, rather a simple majority.
The Pantagraph reports that several legislators liked the proposal but that Durkin isn't sure Democratic leaders will allow it to get to a committee or a floor debate.
Under Illinois law, members of the Legislature who are stepping down or who have lost their re-election bids can vote on bills in January before a new General Assembly is sworn in. They are often crucial to passing controversial legislation because they don't have worry about voter backlash. |
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