(AP) — Illinois lawmakers faced a jam-packed agenda and a midnight deadline for session's end. A look at how they fared by yesterday on six of the major issues:
PENSIONS: The House adjourned without taking up the pension issue, a day after the Senate rejected a House-backed plan. It seemed like there would be movement yesterday on a plan to make state universities and community colleges pick up their own pension costs, as a Senate committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor for a final vote. But senators rejected it shortly before adjourning.
BUDGET: Lawmakers sent the budget package to Gov. Pat Quinn. Republicans criticized the $35.4 billion general funds budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, saying it increases spending yet again. Democrats say it's a responsible spending plan that pays off part of the state's bill backlog and avoids cuts to education for the first time in at least four years.
GUNS: The House and Senate approved a compromise plan to allow people to carry concealed guns. The legislation was prompted by a federal appeals court ruling that deemed Illinois' concealed carry ban unconstitutional and gave the state until June 9 to end it. Should Quinn sign the measure, Illinois will become the last state in the nation to allow the public possession of concealed firearms. He has not indicated what he plans to do.
GAMBLING: The sponsor of a plan to expand gambling decided not to call a vote the final evening of the session. He said the proposal just wasn't ready. For days he's been locked in negotiations with the governor's office and others on issues including oversight of a Chicago casino. Democratic Rep. Robert Rita of Blue Island vowed to take up the issue again.
GAY MARRIAGE: The House sponsor of a measure that would have made Illinois the 13th U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage decided not to call the bill for a vote. Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat, said he simply didn't have the votes and that he'd bring the issue back. The Senate approved the measure in February, and Quinn said he was ready to sign it.
FRACKING: The Senate approved a measure to regulate high-volume oil and gas drilling, detailing the strictest standards in the nation. The House overwhelmingly approved it a day before and Quinn is in favor. Supporters believe regulated "fracking" would bring jobs to depressed areas in southern Illinois while some opponents worry about pollution.
PENSIONS: The House adjourned without taking up the pension issue, a day after the Senate rejected a House-backed plan. It seemed like there would be movement yesterday on a plan to make state universities and community colleges pick up their own pension costs, as a Senate committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor for a final vote. But senators rejected it shortly before adjourning.
BUDGET: Lawmakers sent the budget package to Gov. Pat Quinn. Republicans criticized the $35.4 billion general funds budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, saying it increases spending yet again. Democrats say it's a responsible spending plan that pays off part of the state's bill backlog and avoids cuts to education for the first time in at least four years.
GUNS: The House and Senate approved a compromise plan to allow people to carry concealed guns. The legislation was prompted by a federal appeals court ruling that deemed Illinois' concealed carry ban unconstitutional and gave the state until June 9 to end it. Should Quinn sign the measure, Illinois will become the last state in the nation to allow the public possession of concealed firearms. He has not indicated what he plans to do.
GAMBLING: The sponsor of a plan to expand gambling decided not to call a vote the final evening of the session. He said the proposal just wasn't ready. For days he's been locked in negotiations with the governor's office and others on issues including oversight of a Chicago casino. Democratic Rep. Robert Rita of Blue Island vowed to take up the issue again.
GAY MARRIAGE: The House sponsor of a measure that would have made Illinois the 13th U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage decided not to call the bill for a vote. Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat, said he simply didn't have the votes and that he'd bring the issue back. The Senate approved the measure in February, and Quinn said he was ready to sign it.
FRACKING: The Senate approved a measure to regulate high-volume oil and gas drilling, detailing the strictest standards in the nation. The House overwhelmingly approved it a day before and Quinn is in favor. Supporters believe regulated "fracking" would bring jobs to depressed areas in southern Illinois while some opponents worry about pollution.
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