State Lawmakers Have Hands Full In Lame Duck Session
By: Alex de Leon
Updated: January 2, 2013
Springfield - The holiday vacation is over. State lawmakers are back for the Lame Duck Session.
They have a full agenda on their hands. The biggest issue: a vote on pension reform. It's more than $80 billion in debt and getting worse by the day.
Also, lawmakers could vote to ban assault rifles. The issue was pushed by Gov. Pat Quinn (D) in the wake of the Colorado theatre shooting, as well as the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.
Another item on the table: gay marriage. The measure has a lot of support at the capital, as well as Holllywood. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (D) joined actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson from the hit ABC show, "Modern Family", to urge residents to support it as well.
They're encouraging people to contact their legislators and help make Illinois the 10th state to legalize same-sex unions. "I'm optimistic and pleased to be part of the effort" Simon says. "I'm looking forward to raising a family with Justin and raising kids in an equal America" Ferguson says.
But, not everyone is onboard.
Chicago's Cardinal Francis George urged parishioners to let lawmakers know they oppose gay marriage.
They have a full agenda on their hands. The biggest issue: a vote on pension reform. It's more than $80 billion in debt and getting worse by the day.
Also, lawmakers could vote to ban assault rifles. The issue was pushed by Gov. Pat Quinn (D) in the wake of the Colorado theatre shooting, as well as the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.
Another item on the table: gay marriage. The measure has a lot of support at the capital, as well as Holllywood. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (D) joined actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson from the hit ABC show, "Modern Family", to urge residents to support it as well.
They're encouraging people to contact their legislators and help make Illinois the 10th state to legalize same-sex unions. "I'm optimistic and pleased to be part of the effort" Simon says. "I'm looking forward to raising a family with Justin and raising kids in an equal America" Ferguson says.
But, not everyone is onboard.
Chicago's Cardinal Francis George urged parishioners to let lawmakers know they oppose gay marriage.
