New State General Assembly Begins Work
Democrats' Majority Has Shrunken
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- Hours after the old Illinois General Assembly voted to raise taxes, a brand-new one began work.
New members of the Illinois House and Senate were sworn in Wednesday and the 97th General Assembly officially got underway.
Democrats still control both chambers, but their majorities have shrunk.
Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) was re-elected as Senate president. He promises to focus on improving education and reducing worker's compensation costs.
As he has for every team but one since 1983, state Rep. Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), returns as House speaker.
Madigan and Cullerton were among those pushing for a 66 percent tax increase to help plug the state's $15 billion deficit. Both houses have approved the tax hike, which Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign into law.
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
