House Republicans push themes heard in court as case against “no cash bail” law moves toward state Supreme Court
Ending cash bail under provisions of the SAFE-T-ACT would require the courts and the prosecution teams to collaborate to let most criminal suspects go free while awaiting trial.
In a public order issued in relation to a lawsuit brought by 64 Illinois county state’s attorneys, the state Supreme Court has put a hold on the cash-bail repeal law. The state’s attorneys, speaking for themselves and their teams of prosecution law enforcers, are setting forth grounds for the controversial law’s unconstitutionality. Their arguments continue the themes first set forth by House Republicans when the cash-bail language appeared in a late-night lame-duck session of the Illinois General Assembly. The Illinois Supreme Court is reading these arguments. The high court is also reading a counter-brief, in support of the law, filed by the state Attorney General, a Democrat. Legal observers expect a decision on the “no cash bail” case later this year.
Gun ban is also Supreme Court-bound
A Macon County judge has declared Democrats’ firearms ban and registry unconstitutional, setting up a direct appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.
This week I and several of my House Republican colleagues held a press availability in the state capitol standing up for gun owners’ second amendment rights. We were joined by representatives of the Illinois State Rifle Association who reaffirmed their belief that the recent rulings declaring the ban and registry “unconstitutional” will apply statewide. (Governor Pritzker claims the decisions only apply to limited areas).
With two months to go before the Supreme Court takes up the ban, I think it’s also important that the Governor and others who take an oath to uphold our state constitution stop pushing to enforce measures that several judges have already said violate that constitution.
Possible nationwide recession could hamper State spending plans
In testimony presented to the House Revenue and Finance Committee, Revenue Director David Harris and Alexis Sturm, Director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB), presented testimony on the possible impact of a Year 2023 recession on the Illinois economic outlook and State revenues available for spending.
Working with ongoing cash flow numbers that reflect tax payments made by Illinois residents to the Department of Revenue, both executives – backed by Department of Revenue chief economist Rubina Hafeez – said that the State of Illinois’ immediate financial position is good. However, their testimony included data on current projections by global economic forecasters. These forecasting groups continue to project that the U.S. economy is deemed likely to fall into a mild recession in calendar year 2023. This projected recession, if it occurs, will have a negative impact on State revenues and plans for more State spending, including multi-billion-dollar spending requests from the supermajority Democrats.
Speaking at the Revenue Committee hearing, House Republicans pointed out that Illinois’ overall record of economic underperformance relative to other U.S. states means that any possible recession could hit Illinois much harder than other regions of the country. Gov. Pritzker’s Office of Management and Budget has not yet plugged Illinois’ underperformance into its economic numbers and forecasts.
Around the District
I had a very special evening this week with the Marshall County Township Officials as their guest speaker at Stringtown BBQ in Washburn discussing the latest news out of Springfield. I had a wonderful meal and met some great people.
Metamora Township High School WINS over East Saint Louis Lincoln 50-43 and heads to the 3A Championship Game! GO REDBIRDS!
Spring forward, and check your smoke detectors
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour as we begin Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 12.
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal reminds Illinoisans to test, inspect, and replace broken or expired smoke/CO alarms in their homes with new 10-year sealed battery alarms as they change the clocks this weekend.
Learn more: https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26159.html