General Assembly Made History, but Much Left Undone
The 101st Illinois General Assembly took historic action that ranged from passing legislation to end cash bail prior to electing a Black House Speaker for the first time.
But lawmakers ran out of time on several consequential measures — including bills that would have expanded vote-by-mail, allowed lawmakers to conduct business remotely during the pandemic and eliminated newly expanded income tax deductions for business owners. Another bill relating to the state’s rollout of legalization of adult-use marijuana also failed to pass, as did a measure that was part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ health care agenda.
House Democrats fell 10 votes short of passing a bill, endorsed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, that would have eliminated certain tax deductions for Illinois business owners created under the federal CARES Act. Pritzker has argued this change is needed to prevent revenues from shrinking by more than $500 million during the current fiscal year, thus enlarging the state’s $3.9 billion budget deficit.
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But lawmakers ran out of time on several consequential measures — including bills that would have expanded vote-by-mail, allowed lawmakers to conduct business remotely during the pandemic and eliminated newly expanded income tax deductions for business owners. Another bill relating to the state’s rollout of legalization of adult-use marijuana also failed to pass, as did a measure that was part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ health care agenda.
House Democrats fell 10 votes short of passing a bill, endorsed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, that would have eliminated certain tax deductions for Illinois business owners created under the federal CARES Act. Pritzker has argued this change is needed to prevent revenues from shrinking by more than $500 million during the current fiscal year, thus enlarging the state’s $3.9 billion budget deficit.
Click Here to read more.