Capitol Cast: The Capitol News Illinois team recaps the veto session

Capitol Cast: The Capitol News Illinois team recaps the veto session

 

The General Assembly’s two-week fall veto session that concluded Thursday was marked more by what did not happen than what did.

The only big-ticket item to pass from a short list of bills the Capitol News Illinois team was monitoring was a measure partially repealing the state’s moratorium on new nuclear power construction.

Other measures – including an extension of a private school scholarship tax credit program, a bill allowing legislative staff to unionize and a measure governing the election of the Chicago School Board – have all stalled until at least next year, when lawmakers return for their regular session that runs from January through May.

Listen to Jerry Nowicki, Peter Hancock and Andrew Adams discuss the week’s happenings in the latest episode of Capitol Cast.

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

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La Grange twins are Chick Evans scholars

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Reavis bowlers claimed a regional title on Saturday. Photo by Reavis High School

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Marist's cheerleaders finished second in the state in the Large Team division on Saturday. Photo by Jeff Vorva

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Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School packs meals for needy during holidays

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No injuries when Metra train hits school bus in Orland Park

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Marist tops York for its fourth boys volleyball state title

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