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2010 New Laws
Springfield, IL - As 2009 comes to an end, State Senator Randy Hultgren (R-Wheaton) is reflecting on some of the year’s biggest issues, while already focusing on those that lawmakers will address in the coming year.
One of the most highly publicized news story of 2009 was the first-ever impeachment of sitting governor Rod Blagojevich. The Senate Tribunal voted unanimously (59-0) on Jan. 29, 2009 to remove Blagojevich from office and then disqualified him from holding future public office in Illinois.
Senator Hultgren said that the former governor’s removal provided an unprecedented opportunity for reformation in Illinois; however, it will take years for Illinois to recover from the flawed policies, programs and rampant corruption that were advanced by the Blagojevich Administration.
The state budget remained a key issue throughout the year. Republican lawmakers stressed that the escalating deficit was created by fiscal mismanagement, creating and expanding programs despite waning revenues, and Illinois’ massive obligations to the state’s pension systems and the Medicaid program.
If state pension payments are made next year, Senator Hultgren said the budget hole will expand to more than $10 billion. Illinois’ retirement systems are some of the worst funded in the nation, and because the state’s pension obligations are so high, pension payments will cost taxpayers more than $5 billion in the next year alone.
Senate Republicans have consistently advocated for pension reforms, which they say will provide billions of dollars of savings. Specifically, the General Assembly is encouraged to scale back benefits for future employees in order for current retirees to receive the benefits they have earned.
Additionally, the state’s Medicaid obligations are the fastest growing expense in the state budget, even surpassing education. Throughout his tenure as governor, Blagojevich continuously expanded Medicaid without properly funding it. However, the current administration continues to finance the program at current levels without advancing any cost-cutting solutions.
Senator Hultgren said reform ideas like managed care, modest co-pays, restrictions on emergency room use, verifying eligibility and reasonable means testing would significantly cut down program costs, while also improving the quality and access to Medical care for Medicaid recipients.
Despite budget conflicts, lawmakers did come together to negotiate the first capital construction program in 10 years. The program will finance many improvements to Illinois’ transportation infrastructure as well as school construction and local government projects—creating new jobs in the process.
Passage of the construction program was one of the legislative highlights of 2009, and it came none too soon. The rise of the unemployment rate in 2009 to 11 percent sparked concern, as the state reportedly lost more than 300,000 jobs over the last year alone. This is the highest unemployment rate Illinois has seen in more than a quarter of a century, and one of the ten worst in the nation.
Republican lawmakers contribute this to the over-taxation and over-regulation of Illinois businesses. Senator Hultgren said that when businesses are established in Illinois, jobs are created and revenue is stimulated. Republicans have advanced numerous plans that would keep the tax burden low in order to bring Illinois’ business regulations and mandates in line with competing states, as a way to encourage business growth and development.
Also in 2009, lawmakers worked on legislation that would institute limits on campaign contributions. Though the first-ever campaign contribution limits were advanced and signed into law in the form of Senate Bill 1466, Republicans are critical of the final package.
Senator Hultgren explained that there were some positive aspects in the reform bill targeting “pay-to-play” abuses, enhancing disclosure of state contracts, expanding Freedom of Information authority and improving financial transparency. Unfortunately, the new law does not limit the power of political leaders over their legislative members because the caps on contributions do not apply to legislative leaders during a general election. Thus, leaders will continue to hold sway over lawmakers who are reliant on cash infusions provided by leadership during general elections.
Redistricting reform was a major issue in 2009 as well. Republican lawmakers joined good government groups in advocating for change to how political boundaries are drawn in Illinois. Specifically, calling for reform that would enable the public to choose their elected representatives, rather than have the representatives choose their voters.
Throughout the year, five public hearings were conducted throughout the state on gerrymandering. Testimony from experts and citizens largely confirmed what Senate Republicans contend—that the current system does not work and a new redistricting system is necessary. Senator Hultgren said that the gerrymandering and redistricting reform will be one of the most important issues discussed in the coming year.
With the tumultuous year of 2009 behind, Republican lawmakers are anxious to get back to work in 2010. The new laws that will go into effect at the beginning of the year will be the basic foundations that Republican lawmakers will build upon for true ethics and fiscal reform. Republican lawmakers look forward to working cohesively in the general assembly in order to get Illinois back on track economically and restore the faith of the people. |
