Legislation was introduced last week to allow Illinois lawmakers to conduct business remotely in the event of an emergency.
11th District Democrat Representative, Ann Williams, of Chicago is sponsoring House Bill 5868 saying it’s imperative the legislation can act even if they can’t get together physically: “I think most people agree that the legislator meets better, and we’re more effective when we can be face-to-face and in-person in the capital. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. That’s how we want to be, but there’s some situations, like the one we’re facing now, that that is going to be impossible, and during those times, we have to find a way to continue on. Certainly, in March no one ever envisioned that a Pandemic would change our lives as we knew them, but that’s what happened. Now that we know the unthinkable can happen, it’s important to be prepared.”
Earlier this year the Senate adopted rules letting members meet virtually, but a bill letting the House do the same fell one vote short of passage. Williams says she’d like to see this new legislation passed as soon as they are in session.