January 15, 2009— Issue 2

96^th General Assembly

The 96^th General Assembly was sworn in on Wednesday, January 14.  Per the Constitution, Governor Rod Blagojevich convened the Senate while Secretary of State Jesse White convened the House.  The Senate officially elected John Cullerton as Senate President and Christine Radogno as Senate Republican Leader.  The House officially elected Michael Madigan as House Speaker and Tom Cross as House Republican Leader.

A list of the members for each chamber serving in the 96^th General Assembly may be accessed at the following links:

• Senate Members:  click here


• House Members:  click here

The Senate’s rules for the 96^th General Assembly may be accessed at the following link:  click here

Each chamber’s schedule for the 95^th General Assembly may be accessed at the following links:

• Senate:  click here


• House:  click here

96^th General Assembly Bill Synopses

Following are synopses of some bills of interest to TFI members filed to date:

• HB 1 (Rep. John Bradley)—Motor Fuel Tax to Fund Capitol:  HB 1 is a bill to fund a capital construction program with an 8 cent per gallon increase in the motor fuel tax.  The proposal would generate $500 million per year to support $5.9 billion in construction bonds.  HB 1 may be accessed at the following link:  click here


• HB 23 (Rep. Art Turner)—Extension of the MPC:  HB 23 is a bill to extend the graphic arts machinery and equipment exemption and the manufacturers’ purchase credit, which are due to sunset on July 30, 2009, to August 30, 2014.  HB 23 may be accessed at the following link:  click here


• HB 174 (Rep. Dan Burke)—Tuition Savings Refund Addition Modification:  HB 174 provides that, for 2009 and going forward, where there has been a nonqualified withdrawal or refund from a Section 529 tuition savings program not resulting from the beneficiary’s death or disability, the amount of the contribution component of the nonqualified withdrawal or refund previously deducted from base income must be added back.  HB 174 may be accessed at the following link:  click here

Round-Up of the End of the

95^th General Assembly

Some bills of interest to TFI members passed in the final days of the 95^th General Assembly:

• SB 1132 (Senator Mattie Hunter/Rep. Gary Hannig)—Appropriations:  SB 1132 is a supplemental appropriations bill to restore some budget cuts Governor Rod Blagojevich made in 2008 when he line item vetoed SB 1103 (P.A. 95-1001).  Among other provisions, the bill includes money to preclude layoffs in the Secretary of State’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Treasurer’s Office.  SB 1132 may be accessed at the following link:  click here


• SB 801 (Senator Terry Link/Rep. Frank Mautino)—Increased Regulation of Cigarettes:  SB 801 contains various provisions to significantly increase regulation and enforcement regarding cigarettes.  SB 801 may be accessed at the following link:  click here

Impeachment & Trial of the Governor

On December 9, Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on two counts of corruption.  The charges against the Governor include the allegation that the Governor attempted to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.  On January 9, during the 95^th General Assembly, the Illinois House of Representatives impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich on a vote of 114-001-001.  On Wednesday, January 14, during the 96^th General Assembly, the House reestablished the Special Investigative Committee (“Committee”) and again impeached the Governor on a vote of 117-001-000.  The Committee was reestablished in case new evidence comes available to the House prior to the conclusion of the impeachment trial in the Senate.  The second impeachment vote was to ensure the impeachment was valid during the new 96^th General Assembly.  The House Resolution to reestablish the Committee is HR 4 and may be accessed at the following link:  click here.  The House Resolution for the impeachment vote in the 96^th General Assembly is HR 5 and may be accessed at the following link:  click here.

On January 14, after the 96^th General Assembly had begun and after the House had again impeached the Governor, Senate activities relative to the trial began.  The Senate adopted the rules for the impeachment trial.  House Prosecutor Dave Ellis exhibited the Article of Impeachment against the Governor.  The Senate established the schedule for the impeachment trial (the actual trial is scheduled to begin January 26).  And, after session had ended for the day, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate served a summons on the Governor.  The rules for the impeachment trial are encompassed in SR 6 and may be accessed at the following link:  click here.  The schedule for the impeachment trial is encompassed in SR 7 and may be accessed at the following link:  click here.

Roland Burris Seated

On December 30, the Governor announced the appointment of former Illinois Comptroller and Attorney General Roland Burris to the vacant U.S. Senate seat. 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White subsequently did not certify the appointment.  Mr. Burris later filed an action at the Illinois Supreme Court seeking a writ of mandamus to force Secretary White to certify the paperwork, which was denied on January 9 with the Court specifying that Secretary White’s countersignature on the paperwork was unnecessary.

Despite previously refusing to seat Mr. Burris, on Thursday, January 15, the Senate seated him as the Junior Senator from Illinois. 

And Finally . . .

TFI wishes to congratulate all of the new and returning members of the General Assembly.  TFI also wishes to congratulate Senator Burris on being seated as Illinois’ Junior U.S. Senator.