East Central Reporter

The Fall Veto Session of the Illinois General Assembly has come to an end, and it was a week characterized by missed opportunities and disappointments. Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch's refusal to call for a vote on the renewal of the Invest in Kids program has resulted in the end of this popular initiative that helps underprivileged students across Illinois.

In an effort to reinstate a prayer room in the Illinois State Capitol, House Resolution HR 495 has been introduced by the Illinois Legislative Prayer Caucus (ILPC). Rep. Halbrook, the Chairman of the ILPC, filed the resolution emphasizing the importance of prayer in the lives of the founding fathers and the need for God's guidance in today's world. Delbra Pratt, State Director of the Illinois Prayer Caucus Network, echoed this sentiment by quoting President Lincoln's belief in the power of prayer. Supporters of the reinstatement of the prayer room can add their names to a growing list on the website of the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation.

In a significant development, the decades-long ban on nuclear moratoriums in Illinois has been lifted. This decision comes as a result of growing support for nuclear power and other forms of green energy. Advocates argue that advancements in research and development towards smaller modular nuclear power plants make the ban obsolete. These plants, designed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, can generate up to 300 megawatts of power and are considered safer and more efficient than traditional nuclear reactors. New legislation, HB 2473, has been passed to authorize the construction of these modular reactors in Illinois, starting in 2026.

Another energy-related bill that sparked controversy was the right of first refusal for power line construction. Governor Pritzker issued an amendatory veto to the bill, and sponsors have decided to abandon their efforts for now, with hopes of bringing it back in the spring. However, other provisions of the bill, including the expansion of solar projects and authorizations for studies on offshore wind and energy storage, were approved separately by the legislature.

To keep constituents informed, Rep. Halbrook has scheduled two town halls to discuss the outcomes of the Veto Session. The town halls will provide an opportunity for constituents to learn about what happened and what didn't during the session.

As a state representative, Rep. Halbrook's office is available to assist constituents with any issues they may have when interacting with state agencies. Constituents are encouraged to reach out to the office for help or to schedule an appointment. Contact information for Rep. Halbrook's offices in Shelbyville and Effingham can be found on his website.

The Fall Veto Session may have had its disappointments, but Rep. Halbrook remains committed to serving the needs of his constituents and advocating for their interests in the Illinois General Assembly.

To learn more, click on this link: https://rephalbrook.com/2023/11/20/update-from-the-desk-of-rep-halbrook/