SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to strip powers from Governor Rauner in negotiating a contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees by demanding arbitration and no strike options, Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan was able to pass HB 580 Tuesday with 67 of his 71 Democrat House members' support.
While the 67 votes are enough to move the bill to the Illinois Senate, they will not make the 71 votes needed to override an expected veto of the measure, as Governor Rauner did last summer.
Two Democrats – State Rep. Ken Dunkin and Scott Drury – voted "No" with the Republican House Caucus, and Democrats Jack Franks and Camille Lilly did not vote. Lilly was excused for the day. Downstate Republican Charles Meier did not vote because he was excused and Downstate Republicans John Cabello and Bob Pritchard voted present, but changed to "no" later.
Governor Rauner's office responded quickly.
“Illinois taxpayers cannot afford HB 580 – it’s a $3 billion tax hike masquerading as a labor bill," said Rauner spokesman Lance Trover. "If it becomes law, it will dig Illinois’ fiscal hole even deeper, further squeezing social services and, ironically, it will lead to layoffs.
HB 580 was aimed only at Governor Rauner and is a blatant attempt by career politicians to force a tax hike and help AFSCME secure a special deal by changing the rules of the game in the fourth quarter, Trover said.
“Now it’s up to the Senate to decide if they stand with taxpayers or with special interests,” he said.
The photo above was taken on the House floor Tuesday by WUIS News' Brian Mackey.
