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Legislative Action
Dueling on issues or
campaigning for free publicity
By JENNIFER HALPERIN
Now that they've survived the first round of cuts in the race for constitutional offices, primary election winners in Illinois are gearing up for what are certain to be exhaustive campaigns before the November election.
Saddled in between now and the Labor Day weekend that unofficially kicks campaigns into high gear are several weeks of legislative session. During that time it would surprise no one to see candidates popping up in Springfield for committee hearings, press conferences or any other publicity-generating events that are focused on measures they support.
This soft-core campaigning serves two purposes for those aspiring to hold (or hold onto) public office: 1) It ties them to the issues they are pushing — often ones that are politically popular, or at least less than controversial, and 2) It may garner them free air time or print space from media outlets covering the legislature.
State Treasurer Patrick Quinn, now the Democratic candidate for secretary of state against incumbent George Ryan, probably will prove himself most proficient at this pastime. Already he has attached himself to a myriad of issues, from ones about which voters have real concerns (i.e. term limits for state lawmakers) to ones that... well, let's just say Quinn wouldn't be the first politician to make a mountain out of a molehill.
To this end, Quinn is pushing the "Customer Service Act of 1994" (HB 2727), sponsored by Rep. Bill Edley (D-95, Macomb), which is aimed at ending the supposed long delays Illinois drivers face in receiving automobile titles from the secretary of state's office. There may actually be multitudes of frustrated citizens out there who have suffered such delays, but this is the first many people have heard of it. The measure would authorize refunds of title fees to any driver who waits more than 30 days for a vehicle title after it's been received by the Secretary of State's Office.
In other matters, Quinn has lamented the number of businesses that pay no state income taxes. It wouldn't be wholly unexpected, therefore, for Quinn to make himself seen and heard opposing — or at least commenting on — any tax breaks, exemptions or other favorable policies proposed for Illinois companies. These aren't matters that necessarily would affect the office for which he's running, but his involvement could garner him some publicity.
Quinn and Ryan both have aligned themselves with what surely must be considered the Safe & Easy position of the session; the two have been battling for the title of most-opposed-to-drunk-teen-drivers.
Ryan's proposal, dubbed "Use It & Lose It," would immediately suspend the licenses of underage drivers caught with even a trace of alcohol in their systems. A first violation would yield a three-month license suspension, and a subsequent violation would mean a one-year suspension or a two-year suspension for refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test. The measure, Senate Bill 1730, is sponsored by Sen. Carl Hawkinson (R-47, Galesburg).
Quinn too came up with a slogan for his anti-DUI plan — "Not-a-Drop." House Bill 2838 mirrors Ryan's proposal in its call for a 90-day license suspension for a first offense. A second offense under this bill would mean a six-month suspension and a third would suspend a violator's license for one year or until he or she turns 21, whichever period is longer.
Though it would seem these two pieces of legislation would nullify either candidate's claim to be king of the underage drunk driving issue, Quinn found a way to tie his name to the matter on yet another plane: He is pushing municipal officials to place a referendum on local ballots for November asking voters whether lawmakers should make it illegal for teens to drive with any alcohol in their systems. So now he'll be taking his case — and name — to city and village council members all over Illinois. If Quinn ever tires of politics, he surely could find work in the marketing field.
Another candidate, Sen. Penny Severns (D-51, Decatur), is running for lieutenant governor paired with gubernatorial hopeful Dawn dark Netsch instead of her initial running mate, Cook County Board President Richard Phelan. Because of this shift in alliances, Severns and Netsch will have to reach agreement on which issues will comprise their campaign platform, and which, therefore, she'll be pushing hard in the state Senate.
A so-called truth-in-sentencing plan was high on the agenda of Severns' original partner. Phelan and Severns said lawmakers should pass a bill requiring murderers, rapists and those who commit serious firearm offenses to serve 85 percent of their sentences instead of the average 50 percent they now serve. They said the bill would increase the prison population by 1,500 the first year.
Phelan and Severns advocated offsetting the future cost of such a move — which they pinned at $23.4 million a year — by diverting nonviolent offenders to minimum security prisons. Netsch had criticized the plan, saying it would end up costing hundreds of millions of dollars in prison construction costs. She said she could not support legislation that creates longer prison sentences without providing ways to pay for more prison space. So how strong Severns will advocate "truth-in-sentencing" efforts remains to be seen.
Another portion of the Phelan/Severns wish list was the establishment of charter schools — something Gov. Edgar called for in his January State of the State message. Bills have been introduced that would allow charter schools to be established in Illinois school districts. Just about all candidates — from those seeking statewide offices to those seeking reelection to their House seats — likely will want to tie themselves to charter schools, since this so-called school reform effort has become popular across the country.
Contenders for the office of Illinois attorney general may seek their days in the television camera lights at the Capitol as well. Republican Jim Ryan will be backing legislation creating gang-free school zones in Illinois and ensuring mandatory prison sentences for gang recruitment, among other measures. Democrat Al Hofeld will be on the lookout for opportunities to support legislation relating to directing more gambling pro-
36/April 1994/Illinois Issues
ceeds to education, stepping up efforts to ensure child support payments are made, and increasing prison industries.
And when it comes to one of the biggest likely issues of the session, any candidate hoping to tie himself or herself to a push for riverboat (or any other type of) gambling in Chicago will have to be prepared to do plenty of dealing with Senate President James "Pate" Philip (R-23, Wood Dale) on tort reform and other business-friendly measures favored by Senate Republicans.
While full-scale campaigning may not begin for a few more months, the legislative session likely will provide more than ample opportunities for candidates to keep in practice. There should be no shortage of posturing and publicity hounding.
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Spring session calendar
Key dates in April
House session days scheduled
House deadlines
Senate session days scheduled
Senate deadlines |
April 1994/Illinois Issues/37
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Sam S. Manivong, Illinois Periodicals Online Coordinator |