Senator Jim Oberweis issued the following statement January 11 to let Illinoisans know about actions being taken by the Senate during lame-duck legislative session in the Capitol.

“Lame-duck session is underway in Springfield, allowing lawmakers who have been voted out of office to unduly influence major legislation.  Indeed, it is the 11th hour and Democrat leaders are trying to ram through legislation that will place an egregious tax burden on Illinois families.

Such is the way of the law-making system in the Illinois Capitol, which has long relied on back rooms and sleight of hand.  Illinoisans deserve to know and understand what are in these bills and how they will affect us all.  These bills have the potential to put Illinoisans on the hook for billions of dollars.  We must have more light and transparency in this process that has, so far, been handled behind closed doors.”

The proposed bills include:

Criminal Justice reform (HB 163 and HB 3653) that is opposed by every law enforcement agency in the state because it will empower criminals and make Illinois a more dangerous place to live for everyone.

Education/Workforce reform (HB 2170) that places unfunded mandates on an education system reeling from COVID-19.

Health Care reform (HB 3840) that costs billions of dollars at a time when our health care system is still battling a global pandemic and its economic consequences on hospital income.

Economic Omnibus reform (HB 2685) that provides no relief for thousands of Illinois businesses that have closed, or will close, because of government-imposed shutdowns.