Sangamon Sun

The first week of Veto Session concluded in the Illinois House with several key priorities still on the agenda for House Republicans. One of these priorities is Senate Bill 76, a bill that would lift the 36-year ban on new nuclear energy construction permits. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie expressed her hopes for the bill to be presented again and have another vote, as it was passed by both the House and the Senate with a strong majority.

McCombie emphasized the importance of lifting the moratorium on nuclear power in order to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for the state. She stated, "If we don't lift the moratorium, we can't even begin" to address the guidelines set by the state and federal governments regarding nuclear energy construction.

In addition to the nuclear bill, House Republicans are demanding action on the Invest in Kids program, a State-backed scholarship program that helps students attend private schools across Illinois. The program is set to sunset on December 31 of this year if it is not extended by the General Assembly. House Republicans believe that the program has been instrumental in helping thousands of Illinois students reach their maximum potential.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie also showed her support for Israel in a recent speech on the House Floor. She filed House Resolution 446, which condemns the violence in the Middle East and stands with Israel in defending itself against the acts of violence carried out by Hamas terrorists. McCombie and other House Republican members continue to express their unwavering support for the families, defenders, and the State of Israel.

In other news, the Illinois House Democrats approved a bill that could lead to the unionization of legislative staff. The Legislative Employee Labor Relations Act, if approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Pritzker, would bring Illinois legislative staff under the laws and structures that govern organized labor. House Republicans have expressed concerns about the legislation, including the fact that it is being led by a small group of House Democratic staff and the potential impact on General Assembly operations during legislative sessions.

Governor Pritzker has also made changes within his own troubled Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The agency has faced severe criticism for its handling of child welfare cases, leading to numerous contempt of court citations for the resigning DCFS Director Marc Smith. Pritzker's proposal includes the creation of a new State agency, the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, to inspect and regulate child care service environments, preschools, and early intervention programs.

The sanctuary state status of Illinois has created a humanitarian crisis, with approximately 628,000 undocumented immigrants costing taxpayers nearly $3 billion annually. Democratic leaders in Illinois have reached out to the White House for financial help and a coordinated effort to control the influx of undocumented immigrants at the southern border. The crisis has also affected Chicago, with migrant encampments exacerbating violence in the city. Two Chicago aldermen have introduced a resolution to place a referendum on the March ballot to determine if Chicago should remain a sanctuary city.

Amidst the ongoing issues, preparations are underway for firearm deer season in Illinois. The license dates for standard firearm deer hunting season begin on November 17, with many hunters already participating in the archery season. Hunters are reminded of the rules and limitations, including a maximum of two antlered deer per year.

Overall, the first week of Veto Session in the Illinois House highlighted various priorities for House Republicans, including nuclear energy, education, support for Israel, labor relations, child welfare, immigration, and hunting. The coming weeks will be crucial as these issues are addressed and decisions are made to shape the future of the state.

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