Union Bill Veto Override Vote Distracted From Social Services Conversation in Illinois

The big news from Springfield this week was House Democrats' failed effort to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a bill that would have sharply curtailed Rauner's power in union negotiations.

Had the override happened, it would have represented a stinging rebuke of Rauner's agenda by his political nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan.

But all 71 Democrats needed to be present Wednesday in Springfield and all 71 needed to vote for the override to make it happen, and neither of those criteria were met. Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, wasn't in Springfield for the vote and Rep. Scott Drury, D-Highwood, voted against it. (Drury explains his vote in this interview.)

One important bill, however, probably did fail because of Dunkin's absence. And during debate over restoring severe cuts to the Child Care Assistance Program -- which provides child care subsidies to low-income, working parents -- tempers flared on the House floor over the ongoing budget impasse.

In this week's "Only in Illinois," you'll see an excerpt of a speech on the House floor by Rep. David Harris, R-Arlington Heights, that summed up the frustration of many rank-and-file lawmakers on both sides of the aisle over their leaders' failure to enact a state budget.

Watch Only in Illinois here:

The veto override bill failed in the House, as there weren't enough Democrats to vote in favor of the override. Check out how your representative voted at Reboot Illinois.

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