Ideas sunk, stalled in Capitol
SPRINGFIELD -- In the midst of trying to find compromise and avert a summer-long state budget war, lawmakers have along the way this spring lost many smaller battles.
Despite a May 29 scheduled session adjournment, there's no shortage of work waiting in Springfield. Some controversial legislation already has been declared dead. Numerous others will suffer a similar fate if lawmakers don't act soon.
The following are a few of this year's examples of hotly debated proposals that fizzled out, or ones that abruptly came to light but faded away just as quickly.
Recall: The initiative to let voters decide to recall the governor and other elected public officials was perhaps one of the biggest issues this session. From name-calling debates to hasty roll-call votes, the constitutional amendment fell short three votes on the Senate floor before its deadline to pass in early May. The proposal, sponsored by state Rep. Jack Franks, a Woodstock Democrat, and state Sen. Dan Cronin, an Elmhurst Republican, often was referred to being clearly aimed at Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Concealed carry: State Rep. Aaron Schock, a Peoria Republican, had proposed legislation to let Illinoisans carry concealed firearms after completing a handgun-training course. An approved permit applicant would have to be at least 21, with a record clean of felonies, mental health or drug and alcohol problems. But Schock's plan, along with similar measures, didn't receive enough support to be called for a vote in either chamber.
"Sin" tax on strip clubs: Illinois' financially ailing rape crisis centers helped devise a proposed $2-a-head tax on strip club patrons in hopes of alleviating $1.4 million in federal funding cuts to take effect July 1. The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which runs the centers, says the tax is fair because strip clubs contribute to society's objectification of women. Some strip-club goers say that claim is false and it's "legislating morality." Sponsored by state Sen. Dave Koehler, a Peoria Democrat, the idea has failed to resurface since February.
Juvenile parole: State Rep. Robert Molaro, a Chicago Democrat, proposed that a person under 18 who commits a crime such as murder be given a second chance with parole. Juveniles would be eligible after serving 10 years of their sentence, though many victims' families have voiced opposition to re-opening the cases because of the pain that would cause. Molaro previously told the Daily Herald he'd be calling his legislation for a vote this spring, but action on it has been stagnant for two months.
Lowering the voting age: If state Rep. Lou Lang could get his way, the state of Illinois would be unique in being the first to allow all 17-year-olds to vote. The Skokie Democrat sponsored a constitutional amendment to lower the voting age, but talk of the issue ground to a halt as other initiatives like recall played at the Capitol. Eleven states, including neighbors Indiana and Iowa, currently allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will turn 18 before the general election.