Peoria Standard

In a May 23 Facebook post, State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) wrote about returning to Springfield with the intent of passing anti-corruption legislation.

"Democrats passed dozens of their priorities through the House on what was supposed to be the final week of session," the legislator wrote. " Noticeably absent from those bills were the comprehensive ethics reform measures needed to end corruption in Illinois. There is nothing stopping us from passing strong anti-corruption measures today. Let's get it done. "

Spain shared a link to a WTTW article about the lawmakers' return to Springfield. The story said, "They’re scheduled to be in the capitol for a few days starting Wednesday, but they could stretch things out through May 31. Come June, it gets tougher to pass because it requires a supermajority versus a simple majority to pass, which needs to happen as the fiscal year ends in July."                 

The WTTW story said the legislature passed dozens of bills including those that would:

• Pave the way for an airport in Peotone by requiring the state transportation department to move forward with potential vendors (HB2531) 

• Give protections to temporary workers, such as right to refuse an assignment that requires crossing a picket line, and pay level guarantees for temporary workers on a job for more than 90 days (House Bill 2862) 

• Establish a statewide literacy program via the state department of education (SB2243)  

• Give the attorney general the ability to take legal action for price gouging of generic prescriptions (HB3957)  

• Give victims of deep fakes (or digitally altered images) and doxing (online publishing of private information with malicious intent) the ability file civil lawsuits (HB2123 and HB2954)

 Other proposals remain in flux, including significant packages to do with elections (SB2123), cannabis (SB1559) and red light cameras (HB3903), the station reported.

Spain represents the people of the 73rd House District. He joined the Illinois General Assembly in 2017. He was elected to Peoria City Council in April 2007, and held that position until 2016.