ICEP's lobbyists have prepared a comprehensive End-of-Session Legislative Report for ICEP. This report provides information on the final status of all of the bills that were followed on behalf of ICEP and will provide a description of the changes of those bills during the process, as well.

View End-of-Session Legislative Report

More than 8,000 pieces of legislation were introduced between the House and Senate in 2009.  House members introduced 4,500 bills and more than 600 resolutions, while the Senate introduced almost 2,500 bills and another 440 resolutions.  Only 854 House and Senate bills were passed by both chambers and would be in a position to be considered by the Governor. 

Some of the higher profile issues passed by the General Assembly and sent to the Governor included the following:

Ethics legislation

Illinois has been working on dealing with issues of ethics for a number of years.  But, the very public nationwide scandal with Governor Blagojevich prompted introduction of a variety of proposals to address what was termed as “pay to play” government in the state.  

In the end, 4 bills passed: HB 7, SB 51, SB 54, and SB 1602.  These bills address issues of campaign contribution limits, state government procurement and inspector general activities, and boards and commissions.  The Governor Vetoed HB 7, Amendatory Vetoed SB 51, signed into law SB 54 (P.A. 96-555) and SB 1602 (P.A. 96-543).  Additionally, SB 189, makes changes to the Freedom of Information Act and was passed and signed into law by the Governor (P.A. 96-542).  

Capital Spending Program

This year, three (3) bills, creating a program referred to as “Illinois Jobs Now”, were signed by Governor Quinn, creating a $31 Billion capital spending program for the state – the first such program in more than a decade.  HB 255 creates the revenue portion of the program, while HB 312 implements spending, and HB 2400 creates the necessary bonding authorization.

Budget

The FY10 state budget was finally passed by the General Assembly 2 weeks into the new fiscal year on July 15.  The package is reported to fail to address a deficit that ranges from $4 – 9 Billion, depending upon the source consulted.  That aspect will have to be dealt with in coming months with either or both revenue enhancements and spending adjustments.  The budget that went to the Governor is contained in 5 different bills:

SB 1216 (P.A. 96-042)      Spending bill

SB 1292 (P.A. 96-043)      Bonding language

SB 1912 (P.A. 96-045)      Budget Implementation (BIMP) bill contains substantive changes

SB 1433 (P.A. 96-043)      Contains fund sweeps provisions

HB 2206 (P.A. 96-046)     Various State and Fed Funds appropriations