The Illinois General Assembly convenes this week, ushering in the Prairie State’s third century with historic numbers of Democrats running the show and pent-up demand for action.

 

Can they get any work done?

 

Democrats have not surrendered control of either chamber of the legislature for more than 15 years, but progress has been overshadowed by scandals that sent two successive governors to federal prison, backed-up bills and a long-overdue pension debt coming home to roost, and, in the past four years, ideological stalemate with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, which stalled even a basic annual spending plan for two years running.

 

On the heels of Illinois’ bicentennial last month comes Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker with promises of a revamped and fairer income-tax structure, a capital construction plan to bolster roads and bridges, legalized marijuana use to help pay for it, and a boost in the minimum wage.

 

Click Here to read more.