DeKalb Times

Republicans claimed they are being treated unfairly by Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly because GOP-backed legislation rarely advances from committees. 

Democrats control both chambers in the General Assembly and, as a result, have the power to dictate what legislation will receive a floor vote. 

"House Democrats broke their promise of working together and went back to their old ways of doing business,” Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) said at a GOP news conference on April 15, NPR Illinois reported. “Out of 697 passed out of committee, 82% of the bills were sponsored by Democrats.”

Republicans have also called for ethics reforms after the former House Speaker and Democratic legislator Mike Madigan was allegedly implicated in a federal bribery scheme that involved the state's largest utility, ComEd. The Chicago Democrat has not been charged and admitted no wrongdoing. Madigan was replaced as speaker by Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) in January. Madigan later resigned from the house in February. 

“Since assuming the gavel in January, Speaker Welch has said repeatedly in public that ethics needs to be a priority,” Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) said at the news conference. “It's been more than three months, and we've yet to see one initiative introduced by his majority on this topic. The fact is, we’re still debating reforms that could’ve easily been agreed to and passed months ago by this body.”

Since coming to power, Welch called for term limits and changed the rules to allow remote work in committees. 

The Democratic legislators played down Republican claims, saying the party is focused on its legislative priorities and balancing the state budget.