Illinois lawmakers have concluded the first half of their six-day fall veto session, but opinions on its productivity are split along party lines. Republican lawmakers, including Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer of Jacksonville, criticized the session as unproductive, accusing Democrats of avoiding critical topics such as the $267 million budget gap, energy taxes, and mass transit funding. “I just think we’ve got people in charge that want to play politics and they’re not serious about policy,” Davidsmeyer said. He emphasized the need for tax policies that promote natural economic growth.
In contrast, Democrats defended their efforts, highlighting their focus on key issues aligned with their values. Rep. Theresa Mah of Chicago stated, “State of our democracy and reaffirming our support for freedom of speech and the right to due process and support for journalists and immigrants and folks that have been under attack by our federal government and you know our caucus was united in supporting each other.”
As lawmakers take a short break before the session resumes Oct. 28-30, Mah noted that representatives will engage with their districts on urgent bills, including the budget gap and transit decline. “It’s just a matter of communicating with our constituents that we are working on those things,” Mah said.
During the session, two bills were passed: one modernizing the brewery business and another allowing a higher maximum weight for electric vehicles.
