Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A resolution in the Illinois General Assembly carries less weight than the paper it’s printed on. It does give lawmakers a chance to stand up and be heard.
Before Tuesday’s House session, Speaker Chris Welch said there would be much talking — of resolutions to defend democracy and stand up to the Trump administration. As for doing?
“We’re fighting for every Illinoisan,” Welch (pictured) said at a news conference outside his office just before the session gaveled in. “We believe in democracy, not authoritarianism, and history is going to judge those who are being silent in this moment.”
Anybody who thought the supermajority Democrats’ resolutions – mostly inspired by federal immigration agents in the Chicago area – would result in anything but the same old partisanship was sadly mistaken.
“When you talk about political violence and then say, Trump, Trump, Trump-ety Trump,” said State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville), “it doesn’t do anything to make my family feel safer, and it doesn’t do anything to make your family feel safer.”
That particular resolution, condemning political violence, did decry the assassination of conservative voice Charlie Kirk, but that did not impress the Republicans.
Other resolutions addressed the free press, autism, due process, and the extension of the CTA’s Red Line.
