HR0578 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0578 LRB095 12575 CMK 37871 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, As of June 27, 2007, the Governor has failed to negotiate a consensus position with the General Assembly on the State budget for Fiscal Year 2008, which begins on July 1, 2007; and

WHEREAS, After May 31, the General Assembly is deemed to be in overtime session, requiring a three-fifths vote of the members in each chamber to pass legislation that has an effective date before June 1 of the next calendar year; and

WHEREAS, Reaching a consensus position on a State budget and any associated substantive issues requires the Governor to be consistently present in Springfield to negotiate with the leaders and members of the General Assembly concerning the budget and associated substantive issues; and

WHEREAS, The Governor's travel expenses present an increasing financial burden on the citizens of this State throughout the year, not just during the General Assembly's overtime session; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Governor shall not use a State plane or other State vehicle as his transportation from Chicago to the State Capital and back, except that the Governor may use a State plane or other State vehicle in emergency situations and to commute between Chicago and the State Capital once a week; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor shall not use State funds or State assets and shall not be reimbursed by the State for travel from Chicago to the State Capital and back more than once per week, except in emergency situations, and the Governor shall pay out-of-pocket for any additional travel to and from Springfield.