Building a Better Climate for Construction and Development.
Reports & Info
Legislature Adjourns without Passing SWA
On Saturday, May 31, both the House and Senate adjourned the 2008 regular legislative session.
The Structural Work Act reinstatement bill, HB 2094 (Fritchey), was never called for a House floor vote. Throughout the past month of session, there were routinely three to six House Democrats who were absent from the floor on any given day. That dynamic helped our cause. As it turned out, our education efforts directed at legislators and staff seemed to take hold.
AHEAD-IMSCA held a legislative reception on May 28, which proved to be well-timed and well-attended by legislators. The wide dissemination of invitations, together with the healthy attendance, helped give us an enhanced profile for the last two weeks of session.
As for the future, SWA is likely to remain a threat. It remains a high priority for the trial lawyers, and thus for the Speaker, and the prospects of a strong Democratic election year in Illinois (especially with Obama and Durbin leading the ticket) may make the legislative landscape even more challenging. We should not be lulled into a false sense of security.
A bill to reinstate this law was reintroduced in Springfield this spring, but it was never called for a floor vote.
Thanks to all of you who voiced your opposition to your legislators!
