Illinois House Passes IDEA Bill

The Illinois House of Representatives has voted 76-39-1 in favor of SB 2093, the IDEA bill that would allow STAR Bonds financing of a new tourism and retail development in Marion.

It was a quite vigorous debate. Going into it there was word that State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, would vote no. Instead, he voted for it and called on his fellow House members to support the bill in this video thanks to Capitol Fax.



Next stop is the Illinois Senate.

Meanwhile budget negotiations have broken down with the House voting down various aspects of it. That means the General Assembly won't be ending their session tonight as planned which gives the bill more time.

The deadline for final action on the bill has been extended to May 28. Both chambers have adjourned for the day.

Over in the Senate, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, has formally filed a motion to concur with the House's amendments which added the Marion incentive plan. The motion to concur has been referred to the Assignments Committee, whose chairman, state Sen. James Clayborne, Jr., D-Belleville, was the former sponsor of the bill when it focused on Glen Carbon.

In another late change, state Sen. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, has joined the bill as an alternate chief co-sponsor. He's got to be looking at the STAR bonds and how they could be used for the proposed Music City Illinois destination and convention resort in western Perry County.