DOCSLIB.ORG

Fueling the Debate

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Fueling the Debate High-Voltage Campaign Contributions Drive Electric Deregulation Efforts FUELING THE DEBATE A Report on Money and Electric Deregulation Legislation in the Midwest By The National Institute on Money in State Politics with assistance from The Midwest States Center TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreward & Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………2 Methodology……………………………………………………………………………..3 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………3 Summary…………………………………………………………………………………4 Individual State Profiles Illinois……………………………………………………………………………7 Michigan………………………………………………………………………..16 Indiana…………………………………………………………………………..23 Iowa……………………………………………………………………………..28 Minnesota……………………………………………………………………….39 Wisconsin……………………………………………………………………….45 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….49 Footnotes…………………………………………………………………………………50 1 FOREWARD & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In March 2000, the National Institute on Money in State Politics embarked on a collaborative effort to explore the effects of campaign contributing on public policy in six Midwestern states. Funded by the Joyce Foundation, the goal was to produce a series of reports that would give the public some insights into how special interests used campaign contributions to further their public policy agendas. After surveying public-interest groups and news articles concerning legislation in the region, the Institute determined that energy deregulation was an issue of critical importance. Principal authors of this report were Edwin Bender and Denise Roth Barber of the Institute, Brad Lint of the Midwest States Center, and Roger Bybee of Wisconsin Citizen Action and the Midwest States Center. Research and other assistance was provided by the following individuals and groups in the region: • Illinois — William McNary of Illinois Citizen Action; John Cameron, formerly with Illinois Citizen Action and now with AFSCME; Cindi Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform; Kent Redfield of the Illinois Legislative Studies Center’s Sunshine Project; Martin Cohen of the Citizens Utility Board; Hans Detweiler of the Environmental Law Project; • Indiana — Grant Smith and Dave Menzer of the Indiana Citizens Action Coalition; attorneys Tim Peterson and Reed Cearley; • Iowa — Lisa Davis Cook, former program organizer for Iowa Citizen Action Network; Lyle Krewson, Sierra Club, Iowa chapter lobbyist; Jan Laue, executive vice president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Rick Kozin, Iowa Citizen Action Network executive director; Joan Lucas, Chairwoman of Money and Politics (MAP) Iowa; • Minnesota — Dave Mann, former executive director of Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action; Beth Fraser, Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action public policy organizer; Marie Zellar, Clean Water Action Alliance Minnesota state director; Diana McKeown, Clean Water Action Alliance energy program coordinator; Michael Noble, Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy executive director; • Michigan — Johnston Mitchell and Barbara Moorhouse of Michigan Campaign Finance Network; Lynn Jondahl of the Michigan Prospect for Renewed Citizenship; Linda Teeter of Michigan Citizen Action; James Clift of the Michigan Environmental Council; Dana Debel of the Michigan United Conservation Council; Rick Coy of Association of Businesses Advocating Tarriff Equity (ABATE); • Wisconsin — Dave Poklinkoski of IBEW Local 2304; Nikki Anderson of Customers First!; Steve Hiniker of Citizens Utility Board; Roy Thilly of Wisconsin Public Power Inc.; and Reps. Lee Meyerhofer and Peter Bock. 2 Q Communications of Helena, Montana, coordinated design and production of the report. METHODOLOGY Campaign contributions data used for this study were collected from official campaign- finance reports filed by the candidates in each of the states. Also, where possible, researchers obtained official reports detailing the funds that deregulation proponents spent on lobbyists. The Institute also built databases of contributors to pro-deregulation political action committees from official records and cross-referenced that data with contributor data reported by candidates in the relevant election cycles. Researchers identified pro-deregulation interests through an extensive review of news articles and interviews with contacts in each of the states. Through the use of official state Web sites, they tracked the legislative history of key pieces of legislation in each state, examining who sponsored the legislation and who voted for it. INTRODUCTION In the past five years, the country’s electric utility industry has mounted a nationwide effort to deregulate at the state level. The debate focuses primarily on whether and how to separate the generation of electricity from other electric services (transmission, distribution) so retail customers can shop for the electricity supplier of their choice. In this traditionally regulated industry, electricity is provided to retail customers by utilities that enjoy geographic monopolies. In exchange for the monopolies, utilities have their rates set by regulators aiming to simulate competitive market forces while protecting consumers from unjust costs. But that is now changing – rapidly. Fueled by millions of dollars in campaign contributions to state-level candidates, proponents of energy deregulation have been able to get legislation passed in nearly half the states in the country in less than five years, radically changing the economics of the industry. The legislation, which abandons decades of regulatory experience, comes in response to a quest for increased profits for the investor-owned electric utilities rather than any systemic problem with the production or delivery of electricity to consumers, either corporate or individual. With no audible outcry for change from the public, the issue has risen to prominence in state legislatures through a potent mixture of campaign contributions and intense lobbying. In March 2000, the National Institute on Money in State Politics set out to explore the role of campaign contributions on public policy in six Midwestern states. Supported by the Joyce Foundation, the goal was to create computer databases of campaign contributions suitable for study by researchers and journalists, as well as a series of 3 reports that would give the public new insights into how powerful interests might use campaign contributions to advance their own agendas in the public policy process. The Institute, a national clearinghouse of state-level campaign-finance information, assisted by the Midwest States Center, a regional public-interest group, explored the effects of campaign contributions on energy deregulation in six Midwestern states — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. SUMMARY In the 1998 election cycle alone, energy companies contributed more than $9 million to candidates for state-level offices in 37 states.1 Of those states, 17 have enacted energy deregulation.2 Candidates in those 17 states received the lion’s share, 76 percent or $6.9 million, of the total industry contributions found in the Institute’s 1998 data sets. Electric utilities in the 17 states enacting electric deregulation gave generously on both sides of the aisle, somewhat favoring Republicans over Democrats, 56 percent to 44 percent, respectively. This contribution pattern may indicate they were more interested in access to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle than in any strong political ideals. The totals contributed, while relatively small when compared to national contribution levels, are significant at the state level, where generally House races are won by candidates who raise less than $30,000 and Senate races are won by those who raise less than $100,000.3 Contributions of $100, $250 and $500 become quite meaningful in this context. In 1997, Illinois became the first among the six Midwest states studied in this report to pass an energy deregulation bill. Illinois also led the pack in campaign contributions, receiving more than half of the $6.6 million given by deregulation proponents to campaigns in these six states. Michigan was next to pass a deregulation law, in the spring of 2000, and was also second in receiving campaign contributions from pro-deregulation interests. Third in deregulation contributions was Indiana, which passed a primer to deregulation in 1995 but has thus far been unsuccessful in passing full deregulation legislation due to conflicts among the major well-heeled players. In the remaining three states — Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin — deregulation Contributions from Pro-Deregulation Interests $4,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 4 $0 Illinois '95- Michigan '97- Indiana '97- Iowa Minnesota Wisconsin '97 6/00 '98 '97-2/00 '95-'98 '97-'99 proponents have attempted to get legislation passed. While unsuccessful thus far, they are hard at work preparing for future legislative sessions — and their contributions are beginning to mount. While the amount of money poured into campaign coffers by deregulation advocates was substantial, perhaps even more striking was the very direct targeting of the contributions to those in a position to advance the interests of the deregulation proponents. This targeted giving was soundly demonstrated in each state. • In Illinois, nearly half of the $3.5 million spent by pro-deregulation interests in the 1996 elections went to Gov. James Edgar and the four legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle who control the legislative agenda. The contributions preceded the session when the state’s electric deregulation
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bio. Newsletter
    FIRST READING VOLUME 16, NO. 3 • DECEMBER 2002 CONTENTS Democrats Sweep State Elections emocrats captured the Perhaps the most striking thing about Illinois Senate and kept the November 2002 election results Partisan Division control of the House for was the large number of new mem- Statewide & in General the 93rd General Assem- bers. The Senate will get eight totally Assembly, 1962-2002 D bly. The House will have 66 Demo- new members (six Democrats, one 2 cratic and 52 Republican members; Republican, and one independent). In the Senate will have 32 Democrats, 26 addition, seven current representatives Biographies of Republicans, and 1 Independent. and one former representative (four New Senate Members Democrats and four Republicans) are Democrats also won all but one state- moving to the Senate; and one Repub- 3 wide executive office (Treasurer), as lican appointed to the Senate in the well as the U.S. Senate seat that was 92nd General Assembly has been 93rd General Assembly up for election. But in the only U.S. Senate Members elected to the 93rd. The House will House race in which incumbents get 24 totally new members (14 7 faced each other, Republican John Democrats and 10 Republicans); three Shimkus defeated Democrat David (two Democrats and one Republican) Biographies of Phelps for district 19 in southern Illi- who were appointed to the 92nd Gen- New House Members nois. eral Assembly; one Democratic sena- 8 tor who is moving to the House; and In an upset in the General Assembly one former Republican representative 93rd General Assembly races, Democratic challenger John returning to the House.
    [Show full text]
  • Obama and the Black Political Establishment
    “YOU MAY NOT GET THERE WITH ME …” 1 OBAMA & THE BLACK POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT KAREEM U. CRAYTON Page | 1 One of the earliest controversies involving the now historic presidential campaign of Barack Obama was largely an unavoidable one. The issue beyond his control, to paraphrase his later comment on the subject, was largely woven into his DNA.2 Amidst the excitement about electing an African-American candidate to the presidency, columnist Debra Dickerson argued that this fervor might be somewhat misplaced. Despite his many appealing qualities, Dickerson asserted, Obama was not “black” in the conventional sense that many of his supporters understood him to be. While Obama frequently “invokes slavery and Jim Crow, he does so as one who stands outside, one who emotes but still merely informs.”3 Controversial as it was, Dickerson’s observation was not without at least some factual basis. Biologically speaking, for example, Obama was not part of an African- American family – at least in the traditional sense. The central theme of his speech at the 2004 Democratic convention was that only a place like America would have allowed his Kenyan father to meet and marry his white American mother during the 1960s.4 While 1 Special thanks to Vincent Brown, who very aptly suggested the title for this article in the midst of a discussion about the role of race and politics in this election. Also I am grateful to Meta Jones for her helpful comments and suggestions. 2 See Senator Barack Obama, Remarks in Response to Recent Statements b y Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.
    [Show full text]
  • ICCTA Government Relations and Public Policy Report by Jessica Nardulli, ICCTA Legislative Counsel January 25, 2021
    ICCTA Government Relations and Public Policy Report By Jessica Nardulli, ICCTA Legislative Counsel January 25, 2021 New Leadership in the Illinois House State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, the new speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, has promised to make some changes to the way the Speaker’s office operates. For one, Welch is adept at using social media and has committed to modernizing the office. He has also committed to ethics reforms and supports a law limiting leader terms to 10 years. One of the biggest areas for change is the upcoming legislative and congressional district reapportionment. Under former Speaker Michael Madigan, the process was partisan and handled behind closed doors. Governor JB Pritzker has promised not to sign an “unfair” map. Welch has been a supporter of “fair” maps in the past but acknowledged that his version of “fair” might not be the same as others. Welch’s first order of business is to announce the rules of the Illinois House. Welch has made it clear he wants more of a collaborative approach by conferring with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He also promised a leadership team that will show the state’s diversity of gender, race, and geography. Welch’s leadership team includes: • State Rep. Greg Harris - Majority Leader • State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth - Deputy Majority Leader / Speaker Pro-Tempore • State Rep. Mary E. Flowers - Deputy Majority Leader and Dean of the Caucus • State Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. - Assistant Majority Leader • State Rep. Robyn Gabel - Assistant Majority Leader • State Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez - Assistant Majority Leader • State Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • Chicago Medicine Newsletter
    NewlsetterMarch05.qxd 3/30/2005 4:21 PM Page 1 Newsletter, March 2005, Vol. 108, No. 4 Dr. Malkin as he ap- peared on the Illinois Channel during his visit to the U.S. Con- gress on March 16. WASHINGTON REPORT CMS docs climb Capitol Hill CMS PRESIDENT-ELECT STEVEN M. with nearly a dozen congressional staffers CMS' Malkin, MD, was among the army of doctors concerns about medical liability reform, Medicare who climbed Capitol Hill to visit their legis- reimbursement, and access to care. The Illinois lators during the AMA National Advocacy Channel, a C-SPAN-type station serving Illinois, Conference (more coverage on page 2). He followed Dr. Malkin through the halls of Congress, was accompanied by CMS Executive Direc- interviewing him about these issues, and videotap- tor James R. Tarrant. Together, they shared ing him as he spoke with representatives like Daniel Lipinski. The taped segment ran on CAN-TV Channel 21. To view a video of the interview, go to the Illinois Channel Newslet- ter at www.Illinoischannel.org. and click on the Digital Library. Dr. Malkin and Mr. Tarrant also visited the offices of Mark Kirk, Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Richard Durbin, Bobby Rush, Jan Schakowsky, Luis Gutierrez, and Danny Davis. Capitol coverage continues on next page. NewlsetterMarch05.qxd 3/30/2005 4:21 PM Page 2 SHARPENING SKILLS NAC trains physicians to have impact on legislators MEDICARE'S FATALLY FLAWED SUSTAINABLE the Administration and respected public policy insti- growth rate formula and the ailing medical liability tutions. Participants heard from U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall 2005/Winter 2006 2005/Winter 20: Nos
    Opportunities for Education in an Aging World Opportunities for Education in an A Senate Forum on Intergenerational Leadership: A Knowledge and Understanding Passing from Generation to Generation Vol. 20: Nos. 1 & 2 Fall 2005/Winter 2006 2005/Winter 20: Nos. 1 & 2 Fall Vol. to Generation from Generation and Understanding Passing Knowledge ontinuance magazine ontinuance C Continuance Magazine www.siu.edu/offices/iii Fall 2005/Winter 2006 Continuance Magazine Fall 2005/Winter 2006 Vol. 20: Nos. 1 & 2 Founded in 1987 with Funding from the Illinois Board of Higher Education Continuance presents a global view of multigenerational programs, policy, and trends. Continuance is a publication of the Intergenerational Initiative, a lifelong-learning coalition (P-16+) that seeks to stimulate new thinking about educational issues and intergenerational involvement. The goals are to foster intergenerational relationships and promote lifelong service and learning. EDITORIAL SUBSCRIPTION Editor and Publisher: Jane Angelis, Ph.D. To be added to the mailing list, send your request to Director, Intergenerational Initiative [email protected], FAX 618-453-4295, or call 618-453-1186 Editorial Assistance: Larry Davis Intergenerational Initiative Office of the Associate Chancellor for Diversity Office of the Associate Chancellor for Diversity, Southern Illinois University Carbondale Mailcode 4341 SIU Carbondale Graphic Assistance: Sharon Granderson, Instructional Support Carbondale, Il 62901 Services, Morris Library, SIU Carbondale www.siu.edu/offices/iii INTERGENERATIONAL
    [Show full text]
  • The Impeachment and Removal of Governor Rod Blagojevich
    A JUST CAUSE The Impeachment and Removal of Governor Rod Blagojevich Bernard H. Sieracki Foreword by Jim Edgar Southern Illinois University Press Carbondale Contents Foreword ix Jim Edgar Prologue 1 1. The Crisis Erupts 6 2. Cause for Impeachment 19 3. The House Investigation 33 4. The Impeachment Resolution 85 5. Senate Preparations 105 6. The Trial 113 7. The Last Day 160 Epilogue 190 Notes 195 Index 209 Gallery starting on page 95 Prologue n Tuesday, December 9, 2008, a gray dawn arrived over Illinois, bringing an intermittent rain and a chill in the air. It was one of Othose damp, early winter days when the struggle between fall and winter seems finally resolved, and people go on with a sense of acceptance. There was nothing special about the dawning of this day, but that would rapidly change. In the early morning hours an FBI arrest team arrived at the Chicago home of Governor Rod Blagojevich and took him quickly into custody. The arrest was conducted like a raid. The governor was not given advance warning or the courtesy of being able to turn himself in; rather, he was snatched in the night like a common criminal. Wearing a jogging suit and handcuffs, the stunned governor was photographed being led away by federal agents. Word of the governor’s arrest quickly spread throughout the state and began a political crisis that would grip Illinois for the next seven weeks and three days. 1 Prologue With helicopters hovering overhead, broadcasting events on live televi- sion, news crews followed the caravan of police and federal vehicles trans- porting the governor through the streets of Chicago, first to a federal lockup facility on the city’s near west side and then downtown to federal court.
    [Show full text]
  • David Rudd/Vice President Weber Shandwick Chicago
    David Rudd/Vice President Weber Shandwick Chicago David Rudd is a Vice President in Weber Shandwick’s corporate affairs practice. He currently specializes in public affairs, business- to-business and multicultural communications for clients including the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Bank, Opus North Corporation, Honeywell, Allstate and the Illinois Global Partnership. A respected public relations practitioner, David is an executive communications and media relations professional with 17 years’ achievement in the corporate and public sectors. He is a strategic communications counselor who has advised senior executives and officials on external and internal communication, including crisis communications. David is a media relations expert with proven ability to gain positive media coverage, particularly in support of new business initiatives. He has also managed multi-cultural marketing initiatives targeted at high-revenue consumers. David held communications leadership positions during a seven-year career at Motorola Inc., a global manufacturer of wireless communications products. David introduced new advertising and event marketing thereby increasing Hispanic and African American consumers’ consideration of Motorola’s brand and products. He also handled media relations for the office of the chief executive, he directed the external and internal communications team for a new mobile phone software business unit, and he launched the mobile phone business’ multi-cultural marketing program. While directing communication of Motorola’s mobile data services and software business, he attained higher national recognition of the group through proactive media and technology analyst relations, and an aggressive executive visibility program. As a manager in Motorola’s corporate communications office, he garnered favorable national and international media coverage of Motorola’s digital technology leadership, senior executives and employee policies.
    [Show full text]
  • Party Competition in Illinois: Republican Prospects in a Blue State
    Party Competition in Illinois: Republican Prospects in a Blue State Introduction Campaigns and elections in Illinois are always interesting and exciting spectacles. They are full of colorful characters, great plots, and unexpected twists to the story line. Each election brings new characters and different stories, but each builds on the rich tradition and culture of a big and diverse state which takes its politics and politicians quite seriously. A state which over the last half century has produced such notables as Everett Dirksen, Paul Douglas, Adlai Stevenson, Jr., Charles Percy, Paul Simon, Alan Dixon, Richard Ogilvie, Dan Walker, Dan Rostenkowski, Richard J. Daley, Harold Washington, Richard M. Daley, Russell Arrington, Phil Rock, Michael Madigan, Pate Phillip, Roland Burris, George Ryan, Jim Edgar, Jim Thompson, Richard Durbin, Barack Obama, Emil Jones, Judy Barr Topinka, and Rod Blagojevich clearly has a great political culture and a compelling political history. We have had our scoundrels and some have ended up in federal prison. We have had our statesmen of the past and some of our present leaders hold national office with great prominence and prospects for national leadership. One of the reasons Illinois politics and government is always so interesting is the fact that the two parties, at least over the long term, have faced each other from a fairly even statewide base. Each party has experienced the ups and downs that go with the electoral tides of the moment, and each has been dominant and each disadvantaged for some period of time. Illinois has been a competitive state for decades; however, from the 1940s through the 1980s the Republicans held a consistent advantage if one judges by control of the majority in the General Assembly.
    [Show full text]
  • Senate Journal
    SENATE JOURNAL STATE OF ILLINOIS NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1ST LEGISLATIVE DAY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003 12:00 O'CLOCK NOON [January 8, 2003] 2 NO. 1 SENATE Daily Journal Index 1st Legislative Day Action Page(s) Presentation of Senate Resolutions No. ..................................................... 9, 10, 33 Report from Rules Committee ....................................................................... 31, 34 Bill Number Legislative Action Page(s) SR 0001 Adopted ....................................................................................................................... 31 SR 0001 Committee on Rules ...................................................................................................... 9 SR 0002 Adopted ....................................................................................................................... 32 SR 0002 Committee on Rules .................................................................................................... 10 SR 0003 Adopted ....................................................................................................................... 34 SR 0003 Committee on Rules .................................................................................................... 33 SR 0004 Adopted ....................................................................................................................... 34 SR 0004 Committee on Rules .................................................................................................... 33 SR 0005 Adopted
    [Show full text]
  • Roster of Illinois Legislators April 2021
    Roster of Illinois Legislators April 2021 Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability COMMISSION OVERVIEW The Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability is a bipartisan legislative support service agency responsible for advis- ing the Illinois General Assembly on economic and fiscal policy issues and for providing objective policy research for legislators and legislative staffs. The Commission’s board is comprised of twelve legislators—split evenly between the House and Senate and between Democrats and Republicans. Effective December 10, 2018, pursuant to P.A. 100-1148 the former Legislative Research Unit was merged into the Commission. The Commission has three internal units––Revenue, Pensions, and Research, each of which has a staff of analysts and researchers who analyze policy proposals, legislation, state revenues & expen- ditures, and benefit programs, and who provide research services to members and staff of the General Assembly. The Commission’s staff fulfills the statutory obligations set forth in the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Act (25 ILCS 155/), the State Debt Impact Note Act (25 ILCS 65/), the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/), the Pension Impact Note Act (25 ILCS 55/), the State Facilities Closure Act (30 ILCS 608/), the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 (5 ILCS 375/), the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (820 ILCS 320/), the Legislative Commission Reorgani- zation Act of 1984 (25 ILCS 130/), and the Reports to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Act (25 ILCS 110/). Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability 802 Stratton Office Building Springfield, Illinois 62706 Phone: 217.782.5320 Fax: 217.782.3513 Website: http://cgfa.ilga.gov Email: [email protected] Contents Senate Democratic Leadership ...................................
    [Show full text]
  • Administration of Barack Obama, 2014 Remarks at a Campaign Rally For
    Administration of Barack Obama, 2014 Remarks at a Campaign Rally for Governor Patrick J. Quinn III in Chicago, Illinois October 19, 2014 The President. Hello, Chicago State! Good to be on the South Side! Oh, it's good to be home. Everybody, have a seat. Have a seat, relax a little bit. I know Pat got you all fired up. Are you fired up? [Applause] I am fired up. It is so good to see so many friends here today. You've got the guy who, when I first went to Washington as a young Senator, took me under his wing and helped make sure that I didn't get into too much trouble. Could not be a better United States Senator—Dick Durbin is here. Two outstanding Congressmen, Bobby Rush and Danny Davis, are here. Cook County president, who was my alderwoman, and I would not have been elected to the United States Senate had it not been for her—Toni Preckwinkle. We've got a team that didn't just make Chicago proud, but made America proud: the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars. Where are they at? Where are they at? There they are right there. I got to get an autograph from these guys before I go. [Laughter] How come—when are you all coming to the White House anyway? We've got that scheduled, don't we? Those are some sharp young men, right there. So you know what? It is good to be home. I had a chance to see Emil Jones, who nobody has done more for Chicago State University than Emil Jones.
    [Show full text]
  • A Look at the 2021 Accomplishments of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
    REVIEW ATE IN SEN A LOOK AT THE 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE ILLINOIS SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS DON HARMON, SENATE PRESIDENT • COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT • WWW.ILLINOISSENATEDEMOCRATS.COM 2021 session overview | Illinois Senate Democrats | 102nd General Assembly Table of contents Legislative accomplishments Black Caucus declares victory in campaign against systemic racism ............................................. 5 Senate Democrats lead the way on a responsible budget that helps communities recover ........9 General Assembly passes sweeping ethics reform ..................................................................... 10 Senate Democrats pass affordable housing package .................................................................. 10 Senate Democrats take action to address gun violence, FOID backlog affecting law-abiding gun owners ..11 Protecting labor rights ................................................................................................................ 12 Spreading the news By the numbers.......................................................................................................................... 15 Telephone town hall meetings................................................................................................... 15 Illinois Senate Democrats: Social Media Report...................................................................16-19 Black Caucus: Advancing equity and justice ..........................................................................20-21 Senate Latino Caucus: Solutions
    [Show full text]