State Representative Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) has filed a package of bills that seek to protect downstate Illinois communities from legislation that often has detrimental effects on communities outside of Chicago and the collar counties that surround it.
“We need to make sure that state government is working for all of Illinois and not just for our northernmost communities,” said Bourne. “Bills that benefit Chicago and/or the suburbs often have a negative impact on the more rural parts of our state, including the communities I represent in the 95th District.”
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HB 5029 would create the Downstate Impact Note Act. When a financial or other impact on downstate communities exists within a pending bill, HB 5029 would require the disclosure of the impact prior to any floor vote being taken. “We have a concentration of legislators in and around Chicago who file bills with no regard for how their legislation could harm downstate communities,” said Bourne. “HB 5029 would provide important information so that legislators understand the true statewide impact of bills prior to a final House vote.”
HB 5030 addresses rulemaking in the General Assembly by requiring that any agency that proposes a new administrative rule or regulation that might negatively affect downstate communities provide for input to reduce the perceived impact.
HB 5031 addresses inequities as they currently exist on boards and commissions where appointees are chosen by the Governor. In an effort to promote board and commission membership that is more balanced and includes people from all over Illinois, HB 5031 would require the Governor to file reports with the General Assembly that detail the geographic information of gubernatorial appointees. “Many decisions made by Illinois boards and commissions impact more rural areas of the state yet those decisions are made by people who are not familiar with downstate Illinois. Knowing the geographic makeup of boards and commissions is an important tool to know we are well represented on these important decision making bodies,” said Bourne.
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