North Cook News

Leadership in the Democrat-controlled House has shot down an attempt to avoid a month-long recess. 

On March 3, State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) made a motion to avoid the scheduled break and asked for his fellow legislators to meet the next day and continue working to solve the state’s budget woes.

“Mr. Speaker, several times during today’s debate we’ve heard this is not a solution, that there’s still work to do, that we still have a lot of conversations to have and bills to work on,” Demmer said. “I’m asking that the House stand adjourned until tomorrow at 12 noon. If you vote ‘yes,’ you’re voting to keep working. If you vote ‘no,’ you’re voting to leave for more than a month and not come back until April. I ask that you stand with me. I ask for a recorded vote on a motion to adjourn till Friday, March 4, at the hour of noon.”

But Demmer’s motion was quickly dismissed by Democrat leadership before a formal vote was cast.

In response, State Senate Candidate Mel Thillens posted a sarcastic remark on his Facebook page.

“The Illinois House is adjourned until April 4,” he said. “It's not like they had anything to work on or anything. Unreal.”

Thillens is among many who stand amazed at the lack of leadership displayed at a time when many Illinoisans are struggling from the impact of the devastating budget impasse, which is nearing its 10th month.

Illinois has been grappling with the debilitating financial crisis since last July, when Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a spending plan sent to him by the Democrat-controlled legislature. Attempts to resolve the financial debacle have largely been in vain as legislators continue to remain deadlocked on key spending issues. Illinois House members are paid over $67,000 annually.

In a video clip showing the brief exchange in the House last week, Demmer was visibly stunned when his motion was denied. According to House rules, a motion to adjourn can be made at any time, except when a prior motion has been defeated. However, Demmer’s motion was ruled as out of order by Democratic-led leadership, leading many to believe the scheduled break was politically driven.

“It’s egregious that House Democrats would find it acceptable to take a month off during the heart of legislative session, especially given the challenges we face,” Demmer told The Caucus Blog. “My motion to stay in session was legitimate and was made completely in line with the House rules -- the Democrats’ own rules.”

The session schedule is determined by House Speaker Michael Madigan. The House will resume session on April 4.