SE Illinois News

State Representative Patrick Windhorst led a debate on the first full day of the 104th General Assembly as the Illinois House discussed new House Rules for the next two years. Windhorst, along with other Republicans, opposed HR 15 and proposed changes aimed at increasing transparency, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring fair representation in the General Assembly.

“I was disappointed that we rushed to debate the House Rules so soon into this Session. Normally, members of the House are given time after inauguration to be able to read, reflect, and offer changes to proposed House Rules,” Windhorst stated. He expressed concern about how often "the supermajority skirt, break, and suspend their own rules," which he believes harms taxpayers and limits his ability to represent constituents effectively.

Windhorst introduced several resolutions intended to enhance representation for over four million Illinoisans represented by Republican members in Springfield. “The Democrats have a strong supermajority, but that doesn’t mean that taxpayers in Republican districts should have their interests slighted. As a legislative body, we can do better to make sure that the interests of all Illinoisans are represented,” he said.

Among the proposed resolutions were measures such as eliminating loopholes allowing substantive resolutions to bypass normal publication requirements (HR 16), mandating committee hearings for bills with bipartisan support (HR 17), requiring public disclosure of Senate bill sponsorship pre-filing (HR 18), and establishing a minimum review period before final action on appropriation bills (HR 19).

Other proposals included utilizing conference committees for consistent bill numbers (HR 20), reducing consent calendar bills from 80 to 25 (HR 21), restoring supermajority requirements for closing floor debates (HR 22), ensuring member access during business hours (HR 23), making committee audio recordings accessible online within 24 hours (HR 24), requiring record votes when closing floor debates if unanimous consent is denied (HR 25), and allowing each member to designate one priority bill per session for guaranteed hearing and vote (HR 26).