Righter election reform legislation moves to Senate Executive Committee
Springfield, Illinois—Two pieces of legislation that could potentially reform the way Illinois elections are held have moved from the Senate Committee on Assignments to the Senate Executive Committee. State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) is the sponsor of Senate bill 3155 and Senate bill 3135.
Senate bill 3155 seeks to change the date of the Illinois primary election. Currently election law states that the Illinois primary is the first Tuesday in February. Under Righter’s legislation the primary election would be held the third Tuesday in March.
“Pushing back the primary date to the third Tuesday in March would have two main advantages: cutting down the high costs of elections, and creating a shorter general election period so citizens won’t be bombarded with as many unwanted political calls and mailings,” explained Righter.
Senate bill 3135 also moved to the Senate Executive Committee this week. The legislation would ensure that if a candidates’ campaign calls someone on the “Do Not Call” list, the campaign from which the call originated would face a fine. Currently candidates running for public office are excluded from the Illinois “Do Not Call” list which is a voluntary list that keeps groups like telemarketers from calling.
“Both pieces of election reform legislation that I am sponsoring seek to make positive changes to the current election process by keeping voters at the center of the issue,” stated Righter. “I look forward to both pieces of legislation making it through committee to return to the Senate for a full vote.”
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Senate Week in Review: February 8 – 11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 11, 2010
Springfield, IL – This week, the Illinois Senate advanced controversial legislation that State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) said will postpone the Governor’s annual budget message until March 10.
The budget address was originally scheduled for Feb. 17; however, the Governor asked for more time, saying that pushing the budget address back will allow him additional time to gather more accurate revenue estimates for the next fiscal year. Senate Republicans dispute that contention, noting that delaying the address will do nothing to expedite the budget process and will simply further defer action on the state’s mounting fiscal crisis.
Under the provisions of House Bill 2240, the governor will be required to file a written report to be presented to the General Assembly prior to Feb. 24. Legislators will be allowed to make written budget recommendations to be submitted to the governor between Feb. 24 and March 10, which would then be posted on the Governor’s Web site.
Although the legislation was portrayed as encouraging a more open budget process, critics noted that the Quinn administration has consistently ignored laws already on the books that were designed to give the public and lawmakers an opportunity to review the state’s finances.
Senator Righter said that the Governor’s Office has failed to produce three reports required by new laws passed last spring. Senate Bill 54 requires the Governor to post Quarterly Financial Reports on the Internet, which would include an assessment of the state’s financial position and projections of revenue and the Illinois economy. At this point, the Governor has not complied with the new law—the most recent report posted was a review of Fiscal Year 2009, more than six months ago.
Righter: “Do Not Call” list should include candidates
Springfield, Illinois—For weeks Illinois voters have been bombarded with political calls directed to persuade them to cast a ballot for one person or against another. State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) has heard the complaints of constituents tired of answering the phoneonly to hear a prerecorded message and intends to introduce two pieces of legislation to address this issue.
A “Do Not Call” list already exists in Illinois to allow residents to prevent calls from telemarketers. Senator Righter’s legislation will allow citizens the option of joining a “Do Not Call” list that includes candidates running for public office. Under Righter’s proposal, if a candidates’ campaign calls someone on the “Do Not Call” list, the campaign from which the call originated would face a fine.
“I’ve taken calls from every corner of my district concerning the oppressive number of recorded calls they have received prior to the Primary Election. Voters should have the opportunity to opt out of them,” stated Senator Righter.
Another proposal Senator Righter believes will assist in reducing the glut of last minute calls citizens receive is to the change the date of the primary election. Currently the primary election falls on the first Tuesday in February. Senator Righter’s legislation will seek to move the date of primary election to the last Tuesday in May.
“For years Springfield has designed a primary election process that best suits those who are running for office. It is time for reform that puts that emphasis on what is best for the voters,” said Senator Righter.
According to Senator Righter, by moving the primary election back three months it will allow more time for face to face campaigning and likely reduce the costs associated with General Election campaigns.
“The current compressed election schedule creates an environment in which candidates are scrambling to reach as many voters as possible in a short amount of time; a May primary election would allow candidates to better connect with more voters,” explained Senator Righter.
Both election reform bills will be introduced in the Illinois Senate as the General Assembly reconvenes this spring.
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Senate Week in Review: January 25 – 29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2010
SPRINGFIELD – One year ago, history was made in Illinois when an Illinois Senate Tribunal voted to make Governor Rod Blagojevich the first Illinois governor to be impeached and removed from office.
State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon)said that although many hoped the former governor’s removal would make way for positive change in Illinois, unfortunately the state continues to suffer due to the ongoing impact of Blagojevich’s poor choices, coupled with continued lack of leadership and fiscal mismanagement.
In fact, the state’s situation is as bad or worse as it was when Blagojevich left office. Illinois still boasts massive state debt and a budget crisis that has placed state services in jeopardy. Additionally, Governor Pat Quinn has come under fire for continuing to employ many of the Blagojevich administration’s top employees and for retaining, and in some cases expanding, most of the former governor’s programs, some of which played a role in his removal from office.
Springfield, Ill. – Lawmakers began the 2010 legislative session this week with the governor’s annual State of the State address, and wrapped up the week by approving measures that State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) said will impose more regulations on Illinois cemeteries and possibly change education assessment tools in Illinois.
Some lawmakers were disappointed by Governor Pat Quinn's State of the State message, which primarily focused on a laundry list of first-year accomplishments. Senator Righter said that while it’s not unreasonable for the Governor to talk about what he views as positive in Illinois, clearly some were anticipating more details.
While Quinn did outline intentions to create jobs and rebuild Illinois’ economy, he provided few specifics on how he plans to accomplish that goal aside from once again plugging a tax increase.
