Senate says NO to H.B. 1232—the "Child Support Pays" bill

Under intense pressure from the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Republican Senate leadership, and Gov. George Ryan, the Illinois Senate failed, on November 30, to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill (H.B.) 1232—the "Child Support Pays" bill. A three-fifths majority of the Senate membership, 36 votes, was needed for passage. The final Senate vote was 35 "yes" votes, 7 "no" votes, and 14 "present" votes; three Senators did not vote. "Present" votes and those not voting have the same effect as a "no" vote. Just two weeks before the Senate vote, the Illinois House had voted 102 to 15 in favor of overriding the Governor’s veto.

All Democratic senators (except Sen. John Cullerton, who was not in Springfield for the November 30 session) voted in favor of the bill. Due to the enormous public support for the bill, the Senate Republican leadership orchestrated the vote to keep the bill from passing but allowed as many Republican senators to vote "yes" on the bill as could do so while still ensuring its defeat.

The senators who voted "no" were: Donahue (R-Quincy), Dudycz (R-Chicago), Klemm (R-Crystal Lake), Maitland (R-Bloomington), Philip (R-Wood Dale), Rauschenberger (R-Elgin), and Watson (R-Greenville).

The senators who voted "present" were: Bomke (R-Springfield), Burzynski (R-Sycamore), Dillard (R-Hinsdale), Fawell (R-Glen Ellyn), Wendell Jones (R-Palatine), Karpiel (R-Carol Stream), Luechtefeld (R-Okawville), Robert Madigan, (R-Lincoln), Myers (R-Danville), Peterson (R-Long Grove), Petka (R-Plainfield), Sieben (R-Geneseo), Syverson (R-Rockford), and Thomas Walsh (R-LaGrange Park).

The senators who did not vote were: Cullerton (D-Chicago), Mahar (R-Orland Park), and Weaver (R-Urbana).

In both the Senate and the House, many legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, worked very hard and courageously for passage of this bill. Particular thanks should go to the bill’s chief sponsors—Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Chicago), Rep. Eileen Lyons (R-Western Springs), Sen. Barrack Obama (D-Chicago), and Sen. David Sullivan (R-Park Ridge).

And we thank all WomanView readers who responded to our requests for action. Legislators received hundreds of calls to their district and Springfield offices, and almost 3,000 signatures were collected on the petitions supporting the veto override. Both representatives and senators were impressed with the response, and several who were wavering or planning to vote "no" changed their minds because of calls from their constituents.

Reminder. Please collect signatures and send in the Family Violence Option petitions. We would prefer to receive the petitions by the end of this month, but if you need more time, please send them in by the end of January. A Spanish version of the petition is now available.

If you have any questions about H.B. 1232 or the Family Violence Option contact Wendy Pollack, 312.263.3830 ext. 238. Have a Safe and Happy New Millenium!