Sleepy First Week of Veto Session Expected
A grounds worker blows leaves outside the Capitol last week. Legislators return Tuesday for veto session. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
The House and Senate gavel in this afternoon for the first day of the fall veto session, but don’t expect action on any major issues today.
Numerous Democrats say changes to the SAFE-T Act, the controversial law that, in part, ends cash bail on January 1, will likely wait until the second week of veto session, which is scheduled for November 29-December 1.
“There’s a lot of work that’s been done by the General Assembly over the last number of months and working groups and so they’re gonna bring that to the veto session and I’ll be watching carefully,” Governor JB Pritzker said last week at a post-election news conference. “I’ve made my thoughts clear and we’ll see if we can get something done during the veto session to address the changes.”
Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), who has been leading working groups discussing amendments to the SAFE-T Act, told the Sun-Times last week not to expect a major gutting of the law.
“There was never going to be any gutting. That was never on the table,” she said. “It has always been about strengthening and clarifying the original language.”
Republicans have not been included in any of the conversations about amendments, though Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) had previously indicated Republicans could get on board with ending cash bail with necessary clarifications.
Numerous Democrats tell us issues like abortion and gun control likely won’t be taken up during veto session and will either wait until a January lame duck session or after the new General Assembly is sworn in.