Spring 2008 legislative session (Report dated June 6, 2008): Democrats Pass Budget and Adjourn; Governor Proclaims it Unbalanced and Unconstitutional
Democratic majorities in the Illinois General Assembly cobbled together a Fiscal Year 2009 budget on Saturday, May 31st and adjourned until the veto session which begins after the November elections.
Hoping to avoid another record breaking overtime session, the budget was passed without input or votes from Republicans. On Monday, the Governor, who also did not participate in crafting the budget, announced that he believes the budget is $2 billion in the red and therefore unconstitutional. He stated that he intends to call the legislative leaders together to develop a balanced budget and enact it prior to July 1st.The operating budget increases spending by $2.1 billion over the current fiscal year. This includes approximately $600 million for Medicaid and $500 million for education.
Although they passed the Senate, the budget did not include the Governor’s revenue options of a $16 billion pension obligation bond bill, another round of special fund sweeps totaling $530 million or a massive gaming expansion.
All in all, it was a relatively quiet year with no major new programs enacted and in fact, very little routine legislation passing due to the impasse between Senate President Jones and House Speaker Madigan over the Governor’s authority to expand programs without legislative approval.
Health insurance l egislation that passed included:
HB 935 Lang Requires coverage of treatment for mental, emotional or nervous disorders or conditions by a licensed marriage and family therapist.
HB 1432 Crespo Amends the Illinois Insurance code. Changes the definition of “serious mental illness” to include eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
HB 5285 Jefferson Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to require the continuation of coverage for a dependent college student who takes a medical leave of absence or reduces his or her course load to part-time status because of an illness or injury. Includes several requirements and limitations.
Bills that did not advance
HB 4223 Flowers – External Review
HB 4830 May – Continuation of Coverage
HB 5595 Coulson – Habilitative Services Mandate
HB 5865 Flowers - Health Insurer Data Reporting
HB 5954 Wait – High Deductible Plans – Waive Mandates
SB 871 Haine – Increase Dependent Age
SB 1900 DeLeo- Autism Mandate
SB 2486 Kotowski – Authorizes Wellness Programs to Include Incentives
