Lawmakers are set to return to the State Capitol Nov. 13 to begin scheduled fall “veto session,” which is currently scheduled for Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 27-29.

Veto session will allow the General Assembly to take action on legislation the Governor has vetoed, giving the Legislature the ability to override the veto. If three-fifths of the members in each chamber (36 votes in the Senate and 71 votes in the House of Representatives) vote to override the veto, then it becomes law. However, veto session is not limited to bills that have been vetoed—meaning almost anything could be called during that time.

In other state news, the Illinois Department on Aging is encouraging eligible individuals to take advantage of free counseling assistance available during Medicare open enrollment.

Submissions are also still being accepted as part of the Senate Republicans’ annual “Wall of Honor” tribute to Illinois veterans, and residents are being reminded to turn their clocks back and check their smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors as daylight-saving time comes to an end.

Veto session preview

Dozens of bills will be up for debate and discussion when the scheduled fall “veto session” begins Nov. 13. Members of the General Assembly will return to Springfield to either accept or override measures vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner earlier this year.

Consideration can be given to a number of bills vetoed by the Governor over the course of spring legislative session. If an attempt is made to override a vetoed measure, three-fifths of the members in each legislative chamber must vote to override the Governor’s action. If a supermajority in both the Senate and the House support the override, the bill then becomes law.

Veto session is also a time when lawmakers can take action on recently introduced or amended legislation, including a proposed measure that would protect air quality by denying renewed permits for companies found to be emitting ethylene oxide that exceed state and federal levels, a bill that would strengthen “Failure to Appear” laws, and a measure that would target and report suspected financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Daylight-saving time serves as a safety reminder

As daylight-saving time comes to an end at 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 4, Illinois residents are reminded to set their clocks back an hour.

Originally implemented as a way to better utilize daylight hours, daylight-saving time continues to be recognized in approximately 70 countries around the world.

In addition to gaining an extra hour of sleep, the annual time change is also a good reminder for residents to check and change their batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were approximately 370,900 home fires in 2015 leading to roughly 2,230 deaths. Carbon monoxide is also responsible for an estimated 400 deaths each year. 

‘Wall of Honor’ still accepting submissions

The Senate Republican Caucus is reminding Illinois residents that the deadline to submit a veteran for the annual “Wall of Honor” at the Illinois State Capitol is fast approaching.

With Veterans Day around the corner, the Caucus is teaming up with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs to develop a recognition wall in honor of Illinois veterans. In recognition of the selfless service and sacrifice of our military men and women, residents are being encouraged to submit a photograph and written story of any veteran to be displayed in the Capitol Rotunda Nov. 5-16.

Submissions should include name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred, but not necessary.

Interested participants are asked to email submissions to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by Nov. 5. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 309 G Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, call 217-782-1650.

Counselors available to help with Medicare open enrollment

With Medicare open enrollment continuing through Dec. 7, the Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is reminding seniors of the free counseling assistance available to Medicare-eligible individuals and their caregivers.

According to the Department, open enrollment gives eligible adults the opportunity to:

adjust Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage,
move from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan,
switch between Medicare Advantage plans,
join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or
switch or drop existing drug plans without penalty. 

Anticipating a busy enrollment period, the Department is encouraging seniors to make an appointment with one of the SHIP counselors early and take advantage of the services offered at one of the 350 SHIP offices available throughout the state.

SHIP assistance can be reached by calling 1-800-252-8966 on weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about SHIP, including a list of SHIP locations, visit http://www.illinois.gov/aging/ship/Pages/default.aspx.