Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) remains hopeful about the new legislative session after Gov. J.B. Pritzker emphasized a bipartisan culture in his State of the State address last Wednesday.

"I think the governor was wise to point out the success we had in the last session, but also to emphasize that we were able to accomplish major issues on bipartisan nature," Durkin said. "The governor wants to continue in the spirit of collaboration. I believe him."

Durkin says that he hopes new Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) are of the same mind as Pritzker.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

"Now it’s up to the Senate president and House speaker to take that spirit," Durkin said. "I’m prepared to work with them on the big issues. If there’s a time for us to clean up this cesspool it’s now. We have to get the trust of the public back."

Durkin says that it's clear what the most pressing issues should be in the new session.

"Ethics reform and property tax reform are priorities," Durkin said. "Our people are being swallowed up with property taxes left and right. [Pritzker] wants to work with Republicans to get a good property tax reform bill on his desk."