On Tuesday, Speaker of the House Mike Madigan’s Chief of Staff announced that the fall veto session is canceled due to concerns over COVID-19 and proximity to the upcoming holidays. In response to the announcement, State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) issued the following statement:
“This veto session has been on the books for months and there is no reason for it to be canceled. In May, our Springfield staff was able to create a safe environment where we could conduct important state businesses. No one contracted the virus during our May session, we know the precautions worked and we can do it again.
“It is imperative that legislators meet for veto session so we can have a voice in the next steps in the COVID-19 response. Unemployment is still failing our residents, FOID and CCL cards are taking as long as 9 months, requests for contact tracing data and information continues to go unanswered by the Governor, and our local businesses are suffering, especially those the Governor deems non-essential. The Speaker needs to call the legislature to veto session so we can work together on a plan that respects lives and livelihoods. We must find that balance for the good of the economy and for the good of people who rely on paychecks to support their families.
“While other states legislatures continue to meet and conduct business, Governor Pritzker continues to keep legislators on the sideline. It goes beyond reason that emergency powers can be never-ending based on what one individual decides. There must be checks and balances, and legislators need to be in Springfield so we can collaborate with the Executive branch. We cannot let politics supersede policy. It sends the wrong message to Illinoisans who already lack trust in the government.”