Kane County Reporter

State Senator Don DeWitte announced that the legislature would reconvene in Springfield for a four-day session. He made this announcement in a Facebook post on December 16.

"We've just learned we have to be back in Springfield from Jan 4-7 for a "Lame Duck" session," said Donald Dewitte, according to Facebook. "Remember, during the lame duck session in January of 2023 we saw the passage of a likely unconstitutional weapons ban and an expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion services. In 2021, lame duck session led to the passage of the controversial SAFE-T Act and back in 2011 it led to the passage of a 67% increase in the income tax. Buckle in."

According to DeWitte's Facebook post, he shared a link to his website that elaborated on the upcoming lame duck session. "In years when they occur, lame duck sessions are held after the election and fall veto session, but before newly elected officials are sworn in. It’s widely seen as a time when outgoing legislators may be more likely to vote in favor of controversial legislation without fear of political repercussions. The most recent lame duck session took place in January of 2023 and saw the passage of a weapons ban and an expansion of abortion services. In 2021, lame duck session led to the passage of the controversial SAFE-T Act and back in 2011 it led to the passage of a 67% increase in the income tax," DeWitte wrote.

Screenshot of State Senator Don DeWitte's Dec. 16 Facebook post | State Senator Don DeWitte's Facebook page

The DuPage Policy Journal reported concerns about past sessions where significant bills were passed during this period. Critics argue that some of these bills were among the most controversial enacted by Illinois politicians and Democrats.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported on a potential lame duck session in November, following the veto session's conclusion. In their November 22 press release, they said Governor JB Pritzker and his allies sought to "Trump proof" the state, possibly considering various categories for legislation, including labor, environment, and immigration. The NFIB also pointed out that tax increases and revenue streams might be topics for discussion during the four-day session.

DeWitte has represented Illinois' 33rd Senate District since 2018 when he was appointed. Before that, he served as mayor of St. Charles from 2005 to 2013 and as an alderman between 1993 and 2005. He was also on the Regional Transportation Authority Board from 2013 to 2018, representing Kane County, according to his official senate biography.