Nov. 19--SPRINGFIELD -- A Democratic state lawmaker has decided to wait before attempting to override the governor's veto of a ride-sharing regulation bill as he attempts to work out a deal that would satisfy taxi drivers and companies like Uber and Lyft, a spokesman said Wednesday.
"We hope to have an agreement that we can announce Thursday morning," said Ryan Keith, spokesman for state Rep. Mike Zalewski of Riverside. "We are working on the final logistics."
Zalewski is reserving the right to move forward with an override vote in the House, a move that had been expected as soon as Thursday, but his intent is to "work on an agreement that both sides can live with," said Keith, who did not provide specifics.
In a rare moment of agreement, both Quinn and Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner opposed the ride-sharing regulation measure, which the governor vetoed over the summer.
In ride-sharing services, drivers use their private vehicles to give rides to people who request them via apps. Zalewski's legislation would set standards for vehicle safety, including requirements for insurance coverage, and rules that would make the dispatchers of the vehicles liable for damages in accidents while the drivers are using their personal cars for ride-sharing.
The push for regulations has been criticized by ride-sharing companies that contend taxis ignore several areas of Chicago, including residents in poorer neighborhoods.
Zalewski has said it makes "no sense" to have a "hodgepodge" of local regulations when the state can set a baseline that towns can build on as they see fit.
The ride-sharing companies have argued that the legislation is so restrictive that it would prevent growth and could put them out of business. They also say Chicago already has adopted "common sense" regulations that balance safety with consumer choice, saying they provide transportation services in communities typically underserved by traditional taxis.
The bill passed the House 80-26 and the Senate 46-8. Sponsors would need 71 votes to override Quinn in the House and 36 votes in the Senate.
