Rep. Karina Villa (D-Batavia) was “saddened and frustrated” over the Legislature’s decision to cancel the General Assembly on Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3. | Rep. Karina Villa Facebook page
Rep. Karina Villa (D-Batavia) was “saddened and frustrated” over the Legislature’s decision to cancel the General Assembly on Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3. | Rep. Karina Villa Facebook page
State Rep. Karina Villa (D-Batavia) is disappointed with the Legislature’s decision to cancel the Illinois General Assembly’s upcoming brief session.
Legislative leaders decided on Nov. 10 to postpone the fall veto session due to health concerns brought by the surge of COVID-19 cases across the state.
“There is a strong majority of members who would prefer the House delay convening to a later date, this is primarily motivated by concerns about the rising COVID-19 rates and proximity to upcoming holidays,” House Speaker Michael Madigan’s (D-Chicago) Chief of Staff Jessica Basham said, The Center Square reported on Nov. 10. “I’m advised that there are similar concerns among Senate members, who were also surveyed over the weekend.”
Rep. Michael Madigan's (D-Chicago) office said the next legislative session was canceled.
| Courtesy Photo
Members were supposed to return to Springfield on Nov. 17, the first day of the scheduled six-day fall veto session (Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3). A new schedule for the session is not yet determined.
“The cancellation of the fall veto session has me saddened and frustrated,” Villa told the DuPage Policy Journal on Nov. 18. “Once again, I was prepared to do the job I was elected to do in Springfield. My constituents are suffering and need my voice advocating for their needs.”
The Legislature also cut its spring session to three days due to the pandemic.
“When last in Springfield, during the spring height of the pandemic, the Legislature was tested prior to arrival in Springfield where we maintained social distancing, wore face masks and practiced the CDC-recommended guidelines for safety,” Villa said. “These measures kept members as safe as our constituents who have also returned to work. There is so much we need to get done, many hard decisions must be made for the state of Illinois and instead, I have to tell my constituents I’m not going back to Springfield.”
The 101st General Assembly will end on Wednesday, Jan. 13, the same date as the 102nd General Assembly’s inauguration.
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