Gambling, pensions on the shortlist for legislative action this week

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers return to the Capitol Tuesday for what is scheduled to be their last three days meeting in 2011.

This year has been a busy one for them — a tax increase, a balanced budget, a number of controversial social issues — but several big issues remain.

Which ones they tackle over the next three days, if any, will remain an open question until Thursday, when lawmakers are scheduled to leave Springfield for the year.

Sears Holdings' push for renewed tax incentives to keep the company from considering a move out of Hoffman Estates is one issue set to be debated in the coming days.

Here are some others with big impacts on the suburbs:

Gambling

Senate President John Cullerton has said a vote on a gambling expansion is likely this week, but there are no guarantees.

The proposal would likely include, as it has all along, a new casino for Lake County, among other locations. But it also might include slot machines at Arlington Park and other racetracks, a provision Gov. Pat Quinn has staunchly opposed.

“I'm not going to support things that are bad for Illinois,” Quinn told reporters in Chicago Monday.

If nothing gets done this week, the issue isn't necessarily dead. More debate could continue next year.

Pensions

House Republican Leader Tom Cross' bid to reform the state's pension system could come to a vote this week.

The Oswego Republican is pushing a plan that would require thousands of teachers and state workers to either pay more for their pension plans, get into a new, less generous plan, or start 401k-style retirement accounts.

Unions representing the workers are pushing back hard, though.

A spokeswoman for Cross said Monday that he expects to have at least a vote at a committee hearing for the plan this week.

Regional superintendents

Because of changes Quinn made to this year's state budget proposal, regional superintendents of schools have been working without pay since July 1.

A proposal to take some money from local taxes to pay for their jobs was rejected in late October, but lawmakers might try again.

DuPage Regional Superintendent Darlene Ruscitti said their responsibilities are state-mandated, and the idea of taking local taxes from school districts is an uncomfortable solution.

“It's an awkward situation for me and our office,” she said.

Property taxes

Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, has proposed not allowing local governments such as school districts to ask for more tax money if local property values sink. The plan could get a vote this week.