Kane County Reporter

After voting Wednesday against the Illinois House of Representatives' adoption of new rules for the legislative process, state Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) said it “fell short of a break with Madigan era.”

Keicher said that it could have been an opportunity to break away from how the House currently operates but unfortunately it will still limit rank-and-file members’ capacity to advance bills on behalf of the constituents they represent.

“For the first time in decades we have a new Speaker, and a real opportunity to change the way the House operates so that we can all receive fair debate on issues important to our local communities,” he said. “Instead, the majority party again pushed through the same basic set of rules used by former Speaker Madigan.”

Keicher and other Republicans have offered some changes that they believe could have given their constituents a voice in Illinois, such as an opportunity for members to have their bills called in committee, requiring notice to the members and public on agendas and legislation that will be discussed/voted, providing waiting period for floor amendments, concurrence, and budget bills, and give members an enhanced ability to debate legislation on the House floor. None were considered.

The House voted 70-44.