Senator Jil Tracy issued the following statement January 11 to let Illinoisans know about actions being taken by the Senate during lame-duck legislative session in the Capitol.

“Lame-duck session is under way in Springfield, a time when state legislators who have been voted out of office can unduly influence major legislation. With just hours to go in the 101st General Assembly, we are seeing Democrat lawmakers rushing through some of the most radical proposals in years.

The topics sound benign – criminal justice reform, education/workforce reform, healthcare reform, economic reform – but the actual bills are exceedingly radical. Instead of helping businesses get back on their feet, getting people back to work, and fixing the budget, Democrat leaders are using the lame-duck session to push through very extreme changes that include:

Criminal Justice reform (HB 163) that is opposed by every law enforcement agency in the state because it will empower criminals and make Illinois a more dangerous place to live for everyone.

Education/Workforce reform (HB 2170) that places unfunded mandates on an education system already reeling from COVID-19.

Health Care reform (HB 3840) that costs billions of dollars at a time when our health care system is still battling a global pandemic and its economic consequences on hospital income.

Economic Omnibus reform (HB 2685) that provides no relief for thousands of Illinois businesses that have closed, or will close, because of government-imposed shutdowns.”