McHenry Times

State lawmakers convened in Springfield this week for the start of the annual fall Veto Session. During the spring session, over 550 bills were passed, with Governor JB Pritzker signing all but six into law. Of these six bills, three received total vetoes and three received partial vetoes.

Legislators have the power to override a full veto with a 3/5 vote in both the House and Senate. If a vetoed bill is not called for a vote, the veto remains in place and the bill does not become law. For bills with amendatory vetoes, lawmakers can choose to approve the Governor's amendments with a simple majority vote or override the veto with a 3/5 vote to uphold the original bill.

While there was little action on vetoed bills this week, the Illinois Senate took the opportunity to discuss other measures that will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. Lawmakers will reconvene for the final week of the veto session starting on November 7.

One of the key priorities for Senate Republicans during this session is the elimination of the sunset date for the Invest in Kids Act. The Invest in Kids program, which has received over $308 million in private donations since its inception in 2017, provides tax credit scholarships to low-income K-12 students in struggling schools. Without legislative intervention during the Veto Session, the program will expire on January 1, 2024. Senator Craig Wilcox emphasized the importance of making the program permanent, stating, "any family with a child who is struggling at their current school should be able to apply for a tuition scholarship, so they have the ability to place their child in a school environment they believe is better suited for them." Those who support the program can sign a petition at the Senate Republican website.

In other news, the Illinois State Police (ISP) announced three dates and locations for public hearings on the "Assault Weapons Ban" gun registration process. The new law, which bans a wide range of firearms, magazines, and other devices, requires individuals who possessed these now-banned items prior to January 19, 2023, to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner's Identification Card account in order to legally maintain possession. The ISP will hold hearings to address confusion and concerns about the registration process. The hearings are open to the public and will take place on November 2 in Springfield, November 3 in Chicago, and November 6 in Caseyville.

As Veterans Day approaches, the Senate Republican Caucus is once again calling for submissions for the Veterans Wall of Honor. The Wall of Honor, which will be displayed in the Capitol rotunda from November 7 to 20, showcases the legacy of service of veterans. Submissions should include a photo and a written story, along with the veteran's name, military branch, and conflict served. The deadline for submissions is November 6.

Finally, with Halloween just around the corner, communities across Illinois have set Trick-or-Treating hours. The National Safety Council offers safety tips for Trick-or-Treaters, including wearing fire-resistant costumes, using reflective tape or glow sticks, and being accompanied by a responsible adult.

As the fall Veto Session continues, lawmakers will consider these and other important issues that impact the people of Illinois.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://senatorwilcox.com/2023/10/30/capitol-report-from-senator-craig-wilcox-84/