The Illinois House voted along party lines Wednesday to adopt new rules following the ousting of Michael Madigan as House Speaker including adding a 10-year term limit to someone serving as Speaker of the House.
The rules also allow the House to hold committee meetings remotely during public health emergencies after most of the legislature’s spring session was nixed because of the coronavirus pandemic
But despite changes, House Republicans are not happy with the rules that they say stifles the voice of the minority party, including Dan Swanson of the 74th District.
“It appears to be the same old rules as what we’ve been under for the many years. One slight change is to allow some distance committee hearings using webinars or whatever the case may be. But that’s one change that’s probably the best of anything we’ve seen today.”
Swanson says House Republicans want more transparency in the process.
“As a party, we try to bring more transparency to bills coming on the floor. That’s a question I get all the time, ‘how can I find out when something’s coming to the floor?’ And nothing we’re passing today will bring more transparency for my constituents to see when legislation is going to committee or coming to the House for discussion, or going for the full-vote.”
He adds that house rules can change at any time, with only a vote needing to take place to change them.
Rules that Republicans proposed included ensuring rights of members to have their bills called in committee, requiring notice to the members and public on what will be up for action in committee and the House floor, increasing the ability of members to debate legislation on the House Floor, and creating a waiting period for floor amendments, concurrence, and budget bills.
