OREGON – The Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce held a Legislative Lunch & Learn on Monday at the Coliseum Museum of Art, Antiques & Americana in Oregon.
Illinois House Republican Minority Leader Tony McCombie and Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney spoke to a dozen or so area residents about legislative matters locally and in Springfield.
Senator Chesney spoke at length about the current status of his lawsuit against Speaker Welch and other Democratic leaders regarding the “three reading rule.”
“I would suspect we would see some type of ruling within the next 90 to 120 days,” he said.
“I think they’re going to continue to stay the course until the Supreme Court tells them that they can’t. But Democrat or conservative organizations, as well as liberal and Democrat organizations have all been mistreated through this three reading bill violation. And so I would expect that it would be welcomed by many interest groups that cut across different political affiliations,” Chesney noted.
The Illinois Constitution requires that every bill be read on three separate days in each chamber, a safeguard meant to ensure thoughtful deliberation, prevent abuse, and protect taxpayers. Republican lawmakers claim Democrats are gutting unrelated bills and stuffing them with bloated, last-minute spending, often just hours before lawmakers are forced to vote.
Minority Leader McCombie discussed government efficiency in Illinois, mentioning the projected $1 billion budget shortfall in 2027 and highlighting how the legislative slate is clear heading into the fall veto session this October.