Governor takes bill action

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Bruce Rauner took action today on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 126
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: HB 127
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: HB 3792
An Act Concerning Education                              
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: HB 4282
An Act Concerning Local Government                                                          
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: HB 4284
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: HB 4383
An Act Concerning Public Aid                       
Action: Signed
Effective:  Immediately
 
Bill No.: HB 4657
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: HB 4790
An Act Concerning State Government                               
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: HB 4879
An Act Concerning Civil Law
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: HB 5005
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: HB 5011
An Act Concerning Health                           
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: HB 5031
An Act Concerning State Government                              
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: HB 5056
An Act Concerning Transportation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: HB 5069
An Act Concerning Regulation 
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: HB 5141
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: HB 5157
An Act Concerning Civil Law
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: HB 5481
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: HB 5573
An Act Concerning Crime Victims
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: HB 5632
An Act Concerning Transportation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: HB 5690
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: HB 5693
An Act Concerning Wildlife
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: HB 5721
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 574
An Act Concerning Civil Law                             
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2304
An Act Concerning Local Government                             
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2328
An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2345
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: SB 2363
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Signed
Effective:  Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2378
An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2386
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2469
An Act Concerning Aging
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2471
An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2491
An Act Concerning Public Aid
Action: Signed
Effective:  Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2539
An Act Concerning Revenue
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2572
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: SB 2631
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2654
An Act Concerning Education
Action: Signed
Effective:  Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2655
An Act Concerning Juveniles
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2721
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective:  Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2773
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2804
An Act Concerning Transportation                         
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2844
An Act Concerning Education                           
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2923
An Act Concerning Local Government                            
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2925
An Act Concerning Local Government                            
Action: Amendatory Veto
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Veto Message for HB 126 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto House Bill 126 from the 100th General Assembly, which expands the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act to mandate that local governments collectively bargain with any paramedics that they employ. Specifically, the Bill adds "paramedics employed by a unit of local government" to the definition of "firefighter" in the Act, making them "public employees" for the purpose of collective bargaining. 
 
This Bill would operate as an unfunded state mandate on local governments. Local governments should have flexibility to determine benefit and employment conditions for their own employees based on local resources, needs and labor availability, including the categories of employees with collective bargaining rights. By forcing all local governments to collectively bargain with paramedics in their employ, the Bill limits locals' ability to control and curb their operations and spending.
 
In addition, this Bill perpetuates the decades of political corruption that has plagued the State of Illinois for too long. Time and again elected officials have granted sweeping benefits and power to the unions in exchange for campaign contributions and political support, creating a system of entrenchment, waste and bad government. Today, Illinois has one of the highest percentages of unionized public employees in the country and offers extremely generous employment and pension benefits. These corrupt bargains are motivated more by the interests of the union leaders and politicians who benefit the most, than by the interests of the individual workers.
 
I have the utmost respect for paramedics in Illinois. Their work is extremely taxing and critical to the health and survival of many Illinois citizens and visitors. This Bill, however, continues the deep political corruption between union leaders and elected state officials that is debilitating this State. The Bill widens the already bloated union population in the public sector—increasing the union's entrenchment and wealth—and puts a significant financial and administrative burden on local governments.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 126, entitled "AN ACT concerning government," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 127 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto House Bill 127 from the 100th General Assembly, which amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act to mandate that local units of government provide expanded benefits to injured or deceased paramedics, emergency medical technicians and their families. Specifically, the Bill includes "a paramedic employed by a unit of local government" and "an emergency medical technician employed by a unit of local government" in the definition of "firefighter."
 
This Bill would operate as an unfunded state mandate on local governments. Local governments should have flexibility to determine benefit and employment conditions for their own employees based on local resources, needs and labor availability. By forcing all local governments to provide expansive health and education benefit to an additional group of employees, the Bill limits locals' ability to control and curb their operations and spending.
 
I have the utmost respect for paramedics and emergency medical technicians in Illinois. Their work is extremely taxing and critical to the health and survival of many Illinois citizens and visitors. This Bill, however, puts a significant financial and administrative burden on local governments at a time when most local governments' resources are extremely constrained.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 127, entitled "AN ACT concerning government," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 3792 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today, I veto House Bill 3792, which would require school districts to enact a work ethic curriculum for students beginning in 6th grade.
 
While I recognize the value of instilling strong work-ethics into our students, I do not believe it is the role of the legislature to dictate to schools how and when this skill should be taught. Schools and teachers deserve the freedom to design their own curriculum, so that it is most impactful to the unique students in their classroom.
 
This legislation would put an undue burden on schools and educators, imposing restrictions without lending support or resources. Impactful classroom instruction and curricula should be developed in partnership with educators, not by legislators in Springfield.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 3792, entitled "AN ACT concerning education", with the forgoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 4282 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto House Bill 4282 from the 100th General Assembly, which restricts the ability for a property owner to disconnect from a municipality.
 
Under current law, certain owners of property on the border of municipal limits are able to petition county courts to disconnect their land from the municipal territory. This ability to disconnect is limited by requirements that it cannot create a substantial disruption to the municipality's tax revenue, municipal services or zoning ordinances, among other limitations. This legislation would further  inhibit property owners from disconnecting if their land is part of a redevelopment project area or otherwise subject to tax increment financing.
 
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) programs, while they may serve some legitimate blight-removal purposes, are vulnerable to corruption and abuse and contribute to the property tax crisis Illinois taxpayers struggle with every day. This legislation would allow municipal governments to use TIF districts to block property owners from disconnecting from the city and will likely promote the creation of more TIF districts. The legislature should be actively pursuing reform of the state laws that govern TIFs instead of further incentivizing their creation.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 4282, entitled "AN ACT concerning local government," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 4284 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto House Bill 4284 from the 100th General Assembly, which unnecessarily prescribes appointment requirements for the State Board of Education.
 
The legislation dictates that three members of the State Board of Education must represent the educator community. However, there has historically been an abundance of educator experience on the board. Currently, there are four board members with education experience including a former superintendent, a former assistant superintendent with experience as a teacher and principal, a former teacher, and a former principal. At a time when there is such a wealth of education experience and expertise, there is no need to impose new restrictions on the composition of the State Board of Education.
 
Nationally, there is no precedent for this type of legislative oversight in board appointments. Out of the 38 states with Governor-appointed State Boards of Education, only five states require specific mandates for Board composition. Thus, this legislation would not only erode the Executive Branch's appointment power, but it would put Illinois at odds with national best practice.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 4284, entitled "AN ACT concerning education", with the forgoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 4657 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today, I veto House Bill 4657, which would statutorily mandate the creation of an Emotional Intelligence and Social and Emotional Learning Task Force.
 
My administration believes deeply in the importance of supporting both the intellectual and emotional development of Illinois' children. However, by creating a Task Force without any substantive directives to address this issue, we will only add to government waste without any assurance of healthier outcomes for students.
 
It has been a priority of my administration to end the unfettered government waste that has plagued Illinois state politics for too long. To that end, I have eliminated 19 boards and commissions this year alone that were defunct, existing on paper, but in reality not serving Illinois in any meaningful way. Taxpayers deserve to know that when we create new governmental bodies, commissions, and task forces, we are equipping those entities with the support and guidance they need to investigate and address the most pressing issues facing Illinois. It is disingenuous to continue the cycle of establishing new groups on paper without the direction necessary to drive results from them.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 4657, entitled "AN ACT concerning education", with the forgoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 5481 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto House Bill 5481 which mandates that information regarding class sizes be reported to ISBE within 60 of the start of the academic year with the intention of setting goals to limit the number of students per class.
 
The link between smaller class size and improved student outcomes has indeed been proven. However, information about classroom populations is already published on an annual basis in school report cards, thus making the bill's proposed reporting requirement redundant. Additionally, current class size averages in Illinois do not differ vastly from the goals set forth in the legislation. As written, the bill limits kindergarten class sizes to 18 students while the current average is 19.1 students. It requires classes in grades 1-5 to be 22 students and classes in grades 6-12 to be 25 students, even though Illinois' overall average class size is 20.5. We are well on our way to universally achieving these standards, and do not need to create additional mandates on our schools in order to reach them. This bill would be yet another unnecessary directive from the General Assembly at the expense of local authorities who are in a better position to determine appropriate class sizes given local conditions.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 5481, entitled "AN ACT concerning education," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for SB 2345 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto Senate Bill 2345 which mandates a school report card disclose whether a school has participated in the Illinois Youth Survey.
 
The Illinois Youth Survey is administered every two years and provides information regarding social and behavioral habits of students in grades 8, 10, and 12, including patterns of substance use. Participation in the survey comes at no cost to schools, is not mandated, and student responses are anonymous, confidential, and aggregated by grade level. Furthermore, the survey results are not public and school reports are only released to administrators upon request.
 
Mere disclosure of a school's participation in the Illinois Youth Survey will not reveal any substantive data findings, thus rendering the information useless. The information will make report card users no more informed about a school, as no additional data about academic performance or the school environment will be disclosed. This mandate will cause unnecessary confusion without providing any useful information to parents.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2345, entitled "AN ACT concerning education," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for SB 2572 is below:
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto Senate Bill 2572 from the 100th General Assembly, which changes the mandate for students' physical education requirement from requiring 3 days a week to 150 minutes a week.
 
I fully support efforts to encourage our students to be active and healthy. However, this legislation represents an attempt to block reform of the many mandates on our schools that are inflexible and overly burdensome. Last year's school funding reform legislation included adjustments to the physical education mandate, changing it from requiring pupils to attend physical education daily to a minimum of 3 days per 5-day week. This was an attempt to recognize that students have a wide variety of needs that our school districts need to balance, and prioritizing one above all others was not always in the best interest of students, as determined at the local level.
 
The new standard in this legislation fails to recognize that depending on schools' scheduling, this minute-based mandate may result in the very daily requirement that was just rolled back last year. Further, this rigid requirement doesn't account for weeks where students are not in attendance for 5 days, and will further push out other subjects and priorities on the days they are at school to satisfy the PE mandate.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2572, entitled "AN ACT concerning education," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR