The Illinois House will reconvene next week at the Bank of Springfield Center to take up the state’s budget and other pressing issues during the pandemic.
House Democrats were told many of the details during a virtual caucus Wednesday morning, a day after Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he wants legislators back to both approve a budget and try to work on a state plan to help businesses and unemployed people.
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, in a letter to Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, said Wednesday he’s ready to convene a special session, in consultation with Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Pritzker’s office and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“We are all looking forward to a return to some semblance of normalcy — and certainly, as legislators, we are particularly interested in resuming normal operation of the House — but we must also recognize that these are not normal times,” Madigan wrote.
“A pandemic is not swayed by our speeches, by our desire for normalcy, or by political expediency. But as we all acknowledge, social distancing and medically guided precautions have saved lives.”
Legislators will return May 20. Madigan’s chief of staff Jessica Basham outlined some rules attached to the unusual call to session during the virtual caucus, including that legislators must travel individually and also stay in individual hotel rooms.
The special session plan given to legislators says “those who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 should consider not traveling to Springfield for session.”
Madigan wants Democratic legislators to sign a pledge that they will abide by the health regulations, and he implored Durkin to encourage his members to sign a similar pledge. State Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, is one of two of Durkin’s members who have sued Pritzker over his stay-at-home order extension.
Health precautions include getting tested for COVID-19 before the House resumes, and undergoing a temperature check on session days before entering the Capitol or any area being used for session. If a legislator has an elevated temperature, they will be asked to undergo a new test prior to entering, Madigan wrote in the letter.
A face covering will be required “at all times” and whenever in the company of colleagues or staffers. Madigan said cloth face coverings will be provided for those who need it.
No companions are allowed and there will be minimum number of staffers allowed on the floor of the convention center. The public will be allowed in the mezzanine only, and there will be a separate entrance for staffers.Illinois State Police will serve as security for the session.
The health precautions also require that legislators avoid “refraining from extracurricular activities like non-essential meetings, gatherings, shared meals or drinks with colleagues, lobbyists, or others while in session,” the letter says.
Upon their return home, “we will seek another test for COVID-19 and/or self-quarantine for at least seven days,” Madigan wrote in the letter.
The Illinois Senate will also return to Springfield on May 20 and will hold session in the Illinois State Capitol, House Democrats were told in the caucus.
