South West Illinois News

State Senate candidate Dale Fowler and State House candidate Jason Kasiar are disheartened by the decision made by House leadership to adjourn the legislative session without a balanced budget.  

“The career politicians in Springfield just took a ... break,” Fowler wrote on his Facebook page. “I am proud of those who stood in opposition of this undeserved vacation. In business, we work until the job is done. The people of Southern Illinois deserve more business and less politics.” 

The mayor of Harrisburg, Fowler is vying for the state Senate seat for District 59 now held by Gary Forby.

Kasiar, who is vying for Rep. Brandon Phelps’ District 118 seat, also expressed his disappointment in the House leadership.

“It's sad the career politicians and their 'leadership' decided to take a break instead of working to pass a balanced budget,” Kasiar wrote on his Facebook page. “When we are laying off teachers, losing jobs and unable to fund essential services, they should be meeting every single day until it's resolved. We deserve better.”

State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) made a motion to avoid the scheduled break and asked for his fellow legislators to meet the following day to continue working to solve pressing issues currently crippling the state.

“Mr. Speaker, several times during today’s debate we’ve heard this is not a solution, that there’s still work to do, that we still have a lot of conversations to have and bills to work on,” Demmer said during his floor speech. “I’m asking that the House stand adjourned until tomorrow at 12 noon.”

House rules allow a motion to adjourn to be made at any time, except when a prior motion has been defeated. Illinois House Rule 66 (e) states: “A motion to adjourn for more than three days is not in order unless both chambers of the General Assembly have adopted a joint resolution permitting that adjournment. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, a resolution filed under this Rule may be referred to the Rules Committee by the Presiding Officer or may be immediately considered and adopted by the House."

So in accordance with the rule, Demmer went on to request an official vote.

“If you vote ‘Yes,’ you’re voting to keep working," Demmer said. "If you vote ‘No,’ you’re voting to leave for more than a month and not come back until April. I ask that you stand with me. I ask for a recorded vote on a motion to adjourn 'til Friday, March 4 at the hour of noon.”

But Demmer’s motion was quickly dismissed by Democrat leadership before a formal vote was cast.

Despite the motion being in line with House rules, Demmer’s motion was ruled as out of order with the rules by Democratic-led leadership.

“It’s egregious that House Democrats would find it acceptable to take a month off during the heart of the legislative session, especially given the challenges we face,” Demmer told The Caucus Blog. “My motion to stay in session was legitimate and was made completely in line with the House rules — the Democrats’ own rules.”