Sept. 24--House lawmakers return to Springfield on Thursday after several weeks away, though it's unlikely much will get done amid the ongoing partisan gridlock that's caused the state to operate without a full budget for three months.
Still, there's plenty of items on the schedule, beginning with a hearing on ways to lessen the blow of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed record property tax increase.
The House Revenue and Finance Committee is scheduled to weigh proposals at 10 a.m., though specific legislation on how to expand exemptions for some property owners had yet to emerge Wednesday. Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, said lawmakers were waiting for a proposal from city officials.
While the mayor's effort is supported by Democratic leaders, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has been cold to the idea, saying the city should first consider anti-union proposals to limit collective bargaining and prevailing wage laws, which the administration contends will save the city money. Those ideas are nonstarters among Democratic lawmakers.
In other action, a separate House panel is expected to advance a proposal that would allow the state to spend $4 billion on a variety of services that have gone largely unfunded during the budget stalemate.
The measure would earmark dollars for programs that aren't covered or are only partially covered by the patchwork of court orders advocates have sought to keep money flowing. The programs include services for those with autism and epilepsy, home meals for seniors and burial costs for the poor. It also would free up funds to pay lottery winners, compensate people who were unjustly imprisoned, and give towns and cities a share of gas tax revenue, which has have been withheld.
The bill passed the Senate this month but faces an uncertain future in the House, where Democrats have been fractured on budget and other issues this summer. Rauner aides have said the governor would veto the measure, saying it is the latest effort by Democrats to enact an unbalanced budget.
Meanwhile, Democrats will continue their examination of programs that are going unfunded during the impasse, and will turn their attention to a program that trains police to interact with people with mental illness. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is among those scheduled to testify.
mcgarcia@tribpub.com
