Chambana Sun

The Illinois General Assembly has commenced its fall veto session, during which lawmakers will address Governor Pritzker’s bill vetoes and tackle new legislative business, with minority Republicans holding potential influence due to the supermajority requirement for new legislation.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has highlighted Republican priorities, including concerns over the rising cost of state health benefits for undocumented immigrants, a push to extend the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program, and ongoing discussions about a subsidized healthcare program for illegal immigrants.

“Illinois General Assembly to convene for fall veto session,” Halbrook said on Facebook. “The first of two weeks of the General Assembly’s fall veto session will begin on Tuesday, October 24. Lawmakers will consider not only Governor Pritzker’s vetoes of bills enacted in the spring session, but also new legislative business. As completely new legislation must be approved by a supermajority vote during veto session, minority Republicans could have a voice in any new legislation that moves forward.”

“The Illinois House has posted its veto session calendar online. The General Assembly will wrap up its veto session work on Thursday, November 9, the day before Veterans’ Day.”

Halbrook outlined several initiatives that Republicans have on their agenda in the fall veto session such as addressing the cost of state health benefits for undocumented immigrants in Illinois which has risen to $831 million, leading to concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers. The GOP also seeks to extend the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated he would support.

The Invest in Kids tax scholarship program provides educational opportunities to 9,600 underprivileged students who would otherwise lack access to private schools. It primarily serves minority students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with 53% of beneficiaries being of Black or Hispanic descent, Illinois Policy reports. The Illinois Freedom Caucus has called on lawmakers to act during the veto session and extend the program.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has postponed the implementation of co-pays for a $550 million subsidized health care program for non-citizens 65 and older, as the program is nearing its capacity, with over 16,000 enrollees. Concerns have been raised about the financial burden on taxpayers as the number of enrollees continues to increase, and discussions are ongoing among legislators about the program’s future, according to the Center Square.