Latest news with #Emanuel'Chris'Welch
Politico
2 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Welch on transit, energy, da Bears
Presented by Good Wednesday morning, Illinois. I'm talking to young journalists today about why newsletters matter. TOP TALKER PLAYBOOK Q&A: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch acknowledges some of the biggest legislative goals didn't make it over the finish line last week in the General Assembly because the bills just weren't ready. Three big bills that fizzled include legislation to fix the transit fiscal cliff, the state's over-tasked power grid and Tier 2 pensions, which affect public employees hired after Jan. 1, 2011. 'There's still a lot that has to get done. You have to take your time and get it right. You can't rush and get it wrong,' Welch told your Playbook host. 'I mean, we wanna make sure that when we put something on the board it's ready for prime time and produce the best results for everyone,' said Welch, who wrapped up his fifth year as House speaker. The next step is to address the transit cliff, an energy bill and pensions during a fall veto session in the fall, he said. Here's our interview, edited for length and clarity. How did you get to this place where big bills discussed for months didn't get done? We remain committed to continue to do the work. In my five years, there's a lot of things that were left undone in May that we got done at subsequent times and that's what we're committed to doing. The transit legislation has been discussed for months. What was the sticking point and what's next? First, I think the House leaders who were appointed to lead that effort — Eva-Dina Delgado and Kam Buckner — are truly passionate about transit. They are transit geeks, and I applaud them for their work. Their working group spent more than a year looking for reforms. We wanted to do that before talking about funding. We cannot ask taxpayers to put more money into a failing system. I know they're close with regard to agreement on funding and governance, but they're not there yet. We want taxpayers to know that we're demanding changes to a broken system before we throw money at the problem. Do you support the legislation sent to the House from the Senate that included a funding mechanism to add a $1.50 fee on retail deliveries? I do not. It was DOA before they sent it. There's some differences in the reform and governance piece. The House has not even talked about funding because we were focused on reforms first. I'm not gonna put something on the board that my caucus has not discussed. Transit officials have warned about a fiscal cliff in which Covid monies will run out by the end of the year and lead to layoffs. Have you talked to transit officials about that? They will do what they have to do, but from our standpoint, transit is funded through the end of the year. We know the challenges they face. But we want to make sure that reforms come before funding. We're going to keep doing the work here in the summer and in the fall. We're going to be back for a veto session in October. Legislation to address the state's power grid by adding wind and solar and battery storage also failed to win approval. What happened? Our energy conversations were very reminiscent of my first year as speaker in 2021 when we thought we were there and then worked through the summer to get something done in September, which turned out to be one of the most important pieces of energy I've ever seen. Conversations are going to continue, and we're going to get the best result that we possibly can. And what about the proposal to improve the pension system for government employees hired since 2011? That bill is projected to cost quite a bit of money. We heard a lot from the business community and we need to make sure that all stakeholders are part of the conversation. There's been a lot of hand wringing about if and whether to give state funding to the Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox. Are those issues dead in the water? The Bears and the White Sox should take a look at the Chicago Fire, which is leading the way by building a stadium with private funding. It's going to be transformative. It's going to be great for the state. It's on par with the Ricketts family building in Wrigleyville for the Chicago Cubs. It's the right approach. I think the Bears in the White Sox should take note. Switching to politics — because we're POLITICO. Your name has popped up as possibly filling the lieutenant governor seat if Gov. JB Pritzker runs again. Or even running for governor if he doesn't. I'm so flattered that people put my name in those conversations, but I love the job that I currently have. I get to walk into that beautiful building and serve as the people's speaker. It's an honor of a lifetime and I'm going to continue to do that as long as the people will have me. RELATED Chicago Fire plan to build $650M soccer stadium at The 78 in South Loop: It would be privately financed, by the Tribune's Robert Channick Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson urges state lawmakers to tax the 'ultra rich' to avert mass transit cuts, by the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman With electric prices going up, advocates tried — and failed — to reform the energy sector, by Capitol News' Andrew Adams Lawmakers again fail to act on hemp, while a new study highlights growing health concerns, by the Tribune's Robert McCoppin THE BUZZ ENDORSEMENT PRIDE: Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her wife, Amy Eshleman, have endorsed Congresswoman Robin Kelly in her bid for the U.S. Senate. The former mayor leads a list of LGBTQ+ leaders backing Kelly in her bid to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Also on the list are Chicago Alds. Bennett Lawson and Lamont Robinson, Kane County Commissioner Alex Arroyo and AIDS Foundation Chicago CEO John Peller. The full list is here. 'We stand behind Robin Kelly because she has always stood with us,' Robinson, chair of the council's LGBTQ caucus, said in a statement. 'I personally experienced her resolve when she stood with me to save Mercy Hospital and the vital role it plays in my community.' If you are Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At 1002 South Racine Avenue at 1 p.m. for the Roosevelt Square ribbon-cutting Where's Toni At Mount Olivet Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. with the Archdiocese of Chicago and Cook County officials for a committal service for indigent, unknown and unborn persons Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — In IL-02: State Sen. Robert Peters has been endorsed by some Black Caucus members from the Chicago City Council and the Illinois General Assembly. Here's the list. — Patrick Hanley, who's running for state Senate, has been endorsed by MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis. Hanley is running for the 9th District seat now held by state Sen. Laura Fine, who's running for Congress. — Nick Uniejewski, who's running in the Democratic primary against state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (6th District), talks about running his campaign like a dinner party, via H Kapp-Klote's blog. HIGHER-ED — University of Illinois — long home to thousands of foreign students — braces for visa revocations for Chinese: 'The school's flagship campus, which has the second largest number of international students of all public universities in the country, could be hit hard by Trump's plan to revoke Chinese student visas,' by the Sun-Times' Violet Miller, Pat Nabong and Kade Heather. THE STATEWIDES — MADIGAN: Seeking stiff sentence for Madigan, feds allege a secret effort to block rules on legislators practicing before state tax board: 'Prosecutors described an alleged episode of backroom political intrigue that was not presented to the jury at trial: the 2018 derailment of a proposal by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner that directly threatened to reduce profits at Madigan's law firm,' by the Tribune's Jason Meisner and Ray Long — Meta strikes deal with downstate nuclear plant to power AI, by the Sun-Times' Brett Chase — Federal government removes list that targeted Illinois cities, counties on immigration, by Peoria Journal Star's JJ Bullock — Report ranks Illinois among safest states for LGBTQ+ communities, citing laws and family support, by USA Today's Hannah Hudnall CHICAGO — Implement a Chicago grocery tax, Mayor Brandon Johnson tells aldermen: 'Failing to install the tax would blow an additional $80 million hole in Chicago's 2026 budget as the city already faces a budget gap of around $1 billion, Budget Director Annette Guzman said,' by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan. — 19 Council members sign letter calling out mayor for paying Ernst & Young $3.1 million to look at city financing, via Crain's Justin Laurence Their letter is here. — Aldermen, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration officials argue over credit downgrade, by the Tribune's A.D. Quig — Chicago is sinking: Land under our feet is retreating more than most cities: 'Chicago is the fifth-fastest-sinking major city in the United States, according to a new study. While the city is only sinking by a few millimeters every year, experts say the shift could damage buildings and other infrastructure,' by the Block Club's Molly DeVore. Reader Digest We asked about the one exercise you try to do every day. Andrew Davis: 'I definitely stretch every day.' G. A. Finch: '100 pushups.' Cynthia Given: 'Walk for an hour on the trail in my city park (unless the temperature dips below my age).' Carlton Hull: 'Sit-ups.' Ed Mazur: 'A walk around my block at least once a day.' Marilynn Miller: 'I try to walk at least some every day. At my age (91), 'if you don't use it, you lose it.'' Timothy Powell: 'Bike 20-30 miles every day/year-round in rain, snow and hot weather. Hills, wind and dangerous vehicles are my enemies.' Timothy Thomas: 'At least 100 push-ups and sit-ups before going to bed for the evening.' NEXT QUESTION: What's your favorite ballpark food? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Mike Quigley takes a shot at House Democratic grandees: 'The nine-term Chicago Democrat criticized former party leaders who have since claimed gavels,' by POLITICO's Ben Jacobs and Nicholas Wu. THE NATIONAL TAKE — 'Disgusting abomination': Musk goes nuclear on Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' by POLITICO's Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing — White House allies 'disappointed' at Musk's opposition to megabill, by POLITICO's Adam Wren, Adam Cancryn and Dasha Burns — Thune acts fast to cut deals and move Trump's megabill, by POLITICO's Jordain Carney Transitions — The Human Rights Campaign is adding Jonathan Lovitz as SVP of campaigns and comms and Amy Peña as SVP and general counsel. Lovitz most recently was a director of public affairs and senior adviser at the Biden Commerce Department. Peña was general counsel for the Chicago Community Trust. — Benjamin Berkman is now a senior attorney with Romanucci & Blandin's civil rights team in Chicago. Berkman was the chief assistant inspector general for legal counsel in the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General. — Joseph Mahoney and Erick Palmer have joined Honigman in its Chicago office as partners in the intellectual property litigation practice group. They both have joined from Mayer Brown. EVENTS — Today: State Reps. Lisa Davis and Michael Crawford will be feted at a fundraiser hosted by fellow Reps. Kam Buckner and Nick Smith. Details here — Saturday: State Rep. La Shawn Ford will lead 50+ bikers on a 50-mile 'Bike Across Chicago' from Cabrini-Green to Altgeld Gardens to raise money for the nonprofit By The Hand Club For Kids. Details here — Saturday: The Rose Fitzpatrick Legislative Breakfast & Awards is being held. The event is organized by the Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization. Details here — June 26: Chicago Ald. William Hall is hosting a birthday party fundraiser. Details here TRIVIA TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Brendan O'Sullivan for correctly answering that Brian Doherty was the Golden Gloves champ who was elected alderman. TODAY's QUESTION: What two counties in Illinois are named after a governor of New York? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Richland County Board Member and chair of the Richland County Democratic Central Committee Cynthia Given, Retired water commissioner Frank Avila, attorney Kevin Fanning, Good Realty Group President Sheldon Good and PR pro Lynda O'Connor -30-
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois lawmakers' latest perk — continuing education credits for going to work
State legislators who are also lawyers in Illinois are getting a new perk, courtesy of the state Supreme Court. They just need to show up for work in the Illinois General Assembly and they'll be able to collect credit toward satisfying continuing education classes required to keep their law licenses in good standing. The new benefit came about from a little-noticed change in Supreme Court rules, a move encouraged and endorsed by multiple lawmakers. It took effect Jan. 1, just in time for the ongoing spring legislative session. At least 29 lawmakers were notified that they could qualify for up to 12 of the 30 educational credits they need to collect over two years. The lawmaker-lawyers can chalk up three hours of credit by simply attending one day of a legislative session, a committee meeting or a subcommittee hearing, according to the new rule. One catch is that they can collect only three credits throughout a legislative session, such as a spring session that lasts several months or a fall veto session that lasts a few weeks, court officials said. While many current lawmakers — notably House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and Senate Minority Leader John Curran, all three of whom are lawyers — not surprisingly support the new benefit, some former legislators and state legal experts said the benefit for a select few of the state's nearly 86,000 active lawyers raises questions about why members of the General Assembly get the special break. They and others also said it smacked of favoritism from a Supreme Court whose budget relies on lawmakers' approval. 'It does sort of seem like special treatment for a select group of people,' said Kent Slater, who formerly served as a House Republican and as a state appellate court justice. It 'looks like the Supreme Court is trying to make friends with the legislature.' Illinois lawmakers over the years have amassed or worked to collect a wide array of benefits for themselves, including pension sweeteners and salary bonuses for higher-ranking lawmakers. For more than a century, they were able to distribute legislative scholarships, before the program was killed after news stories detailed tuition waivers at state universities for relatives, political cronies and campaign donors. In the 1980s, one legislator even advanced a bill that would have allowed lawmakers who served 10 years in the General Assembly to practice law without going to law school if they passed the bar exam. That idea rose quickly but fizzled fast once the public heard about it. Yet the timing for this latest perk is inopportune, as it comes when Gov. JB Pritzker and his fellow Democrats who control supermajorities in both chambers are showing little interest in implementing any sweeping good-government reforms — even following former Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan's federal corruption conviction earlier this year. Elizabeth Grossman, executive director of Common Cause Illinois, said the idea that lawmakers are now getting another break 'rather than passing meaningful reform that will make the legislature more responsive to the people of Illinois shows us where their priorities are.' But state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, a lawyer and Democrat from Glen Ellyn, said she pushed for the credits because she saw a need. Though she could benefit from the new rule, Costa Howard said acquiring required educational hours 'really isn't hard' for her personally because she already gets significant annual training. But her colleagues, she said, often are in a quandary trying to find time to complete their educational hours while they are busy making laws during crunch time in Springfield. Costa Howard said she reached out to various legal sources, including Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Kay O'Brien, a former House Democrat who represents the lawmaker's region on the high court. 'I sort of just took the bull by the horns and went for it,' Costa Howard said. No doubt, lawmakers can learn something about state laws if they pay attention to debates, ask questions and discuss the legal issues as part of the General Assembly. Because their job, which is technically part-time, also requires them to vote on proposed state laws, they also have an argument that attending legislative hearings could qualify for continuing education credit hours. 'The work that we do as legislators is actually continuing legal education each and every day,' said Costa Howard, who served six years on a House judiciary panel. 'The legislation that you are working on, really going through, has to do 100% with the practice of law. You're looking at statutes, how they are read and interpreted, and it's what we do all the time.' The new rules went into effect at the start of the year but in March the Illinois Supreme Court's Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board sent a reminder to legislators explaining, for example, how a House lawmaker who is a lawyer can receive the credit by sending in a copy of a 'Quorum Roll Call,' the official House record that keeps track of who punched their attendance button for a particular legislative day. A similar process was explained for senators. A video link was even provided to help lawmakers figure out how to get their 'non-traditional' credit. 'You will earn three hours of general MCLE credit by attending at least one day of one qualifying legislative session,' the video said. How much credit lawmakers should receive is another issue getting attention. 'If it adds up to 12 hours, that's quite a bit,' said Ann Lousin, a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago's law school who worked as a researcher at the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention. In comparison, she said, she might get 15 credit hours for writing a substantial law review article or a book on legal issues. Steven Lubet, a professor emeritus at Northwestern University's law school and an expert on legal ethics, called the credit for lawmakers 'remarkable.' 'It is especially weird because full-time law teachers do not obtain credit for teaching law school courses, presumably on the theory that MCLE credit requires more than just doing your job,' Lubet wrote in an email. 'I don't see why that same principle wouldn't apply to legislators.' In an interview, Lubet acknowledged he didn't have a 'great problem' with extending credit for legislative hearings that include evidence about why a law should be written but he said that the inconsistency of what counts as credit is 'jarring.' Costa Howard, while saying she has 'utmost respect' for most law professors, maintained that writing and teaching law is very different from lawmakers' interpreting, preparing and explaining bills in Springfield. The decision to give Illinois lawmakers credit raised the number of states that count legislative service toward legal education to at least 24. Before the decision, the nation was split evenly, with 23 states giving credit to lawmakers for their service and 23 that did not, according to research by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Four states didn't require continuing legal education. Eleven states provided a 'full CLE exemption for attorney legislators,' said Supreme Court spokesman Christopher Bonjean. 'The Illinois Supreme Court has been part of a national movement to recognize the educational value of activities outside of traditional coursework. One early example of this is attendance and teaching at bar association meetings,' Bonjean wrote in an emailed response. 'This has gradually expanded to legal scholarship, lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring and service on Supreme Court Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Expansion of limited credit for legislators is a continuation of this, and the Court most recently added a pilot project for CLE credit for providing pro bono legal assistance.' While a legislator could claim three hours of credit if a short committee meeting is the legislator's only committee hearing or full legislative session for the day, it is likely that every lawmaker will have other scheduled legislative days to participate in a full legislative session or committee hearing for at least three hours in either session, according to court officials. Legislative support included a letter co-signed by Welch 'along with more than 30 colleagues from both sides of the aisle asking the Supreme Court to consider recognizing the work legislators do as part of their continuing legal education requirement,' said Jon Maxson, Welch's spokesman. 'Throughout his time as a lawmaker and attorney, the speaker has completed his CLE requirements and will evaluate how this rule can contribute to this requirement going forward.' Similarly, Harmon spokesman John Patterson said the Senate president communicated to court officials his support for the new rule. Patterson said giving the credits to lawmakers has been talked about for many years and Harmon has indicated his support 'in passing conversations over the years.' 'It seems like a reasonable approach,' Patterson said. 'Continuing Legal Education programs are intended to make sure lawyers stay up to date with laws, and that's what lawmakers do on a daily basis during session.' Patterson said it is possible Harmon will tap into the new credits for legislative service, depending on what his overall tally of credits is when it is time for him to report. Curran, the Senate GOP's leader, said he was not sure if he would partake in the opportunity for credit because his law firm uses the Illinois State Bar Association's online offerings for educational purposes, but he said he supports the new rule. 'I thought it was a very appropriate accommodation by the Supreme Court in recognition of just the volume of statutory work we do as legislator lawyers,' Curran said. 'I would put the statutory work I do as a legislator against any CLE (course) that I've ever been a part of.' House Republican Leader Tony McCombie of Savana is not a lawyer. But her predecessor, former Rep. Jim Durkin, a former prosecutor from suburban Cook County, embraced the idea, saying his time spent debating, discussing, crafting and rewriting bills was more valuable than 'watching a CLE program on my laptop.' Giving credit to this select group of lawmakers, of course, raises the issue of whether the same opportunity should be made available to lawyers elected to city councils and village boards — a point Illinois Municipal League CEO Brad Cole said is a 'natural question.' In their own communities, Cole said, 'local officials write the laws too.' Cole said he would monitor how the credit is used by state lawmakers and, if all goes well, look at requesting the credit be expanded to include lawyers elected to local government positions. Asked whether lawyers elected to local posts should receive similar educational credits, Curran said: 'I think they should direct those issues to the court and ask the court to take a review of it.' One question that often arises in Springfield is, once you start expanding a benefit, where do you stop? In the 1980s, Democratic Sen. Frank Savickas of Chicago took advantage of a fast-paced day loaded with mundane bills to win support on a voice vote for an amendment that allowed lawmakers with a decade of service to become lawyers without going to law school. The one caveat was they had to pass the bar exam. Savickas, who was not a lawyer but enjoyed creating mischief, suggested, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that legislators make laws and should be smart enough to use them professionally. The idea went nowhere once the proposal made headlines, but his move to make veteran lawmakers eligible to practice law became legendary. It even drew admiration from colleagues when the Senate passed a traditional memorial resolution years later upon his death. Even in Springfield, however, the resurrection of the Savickas proposal is unlikely — at least not anytime soon. Costa Howard 'can't imagine' it would pass today. 'Those of us who've actually graduated from law school and taken the bar would take umbrage with that,' she said.
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Illinois lawmakers' latest perk — continuing education credits for going to work
State legislators who are also lawyers in Illinois are getting a new perk, courtesy of the state Supreme Court. They just need to show up for work in the Illinois General Assembly and they'll be able to collect credit toward satisfying continuing education classes required to keep their law licenses in good standing. The new benefit came about from a little-noticed change in Supreme Court rules, a move encouraged and endorsed by multiple lawmakers. It took effect Jan. 1, just in time for the ongoing spring legislative session. At least 29 lawmakers were notified that they could qualify for up to 12 of the 30 educational credits they need to collect over two years. The lawmaker-lawyers can chalk up three hours of credit by simply attending one day of a legislative session, a committee meeting or a subcommittee hearing, according to the new rule. One catch is that they can collect only three credits throughout a legislative session, such as a spring session that lasts several months or a fall veto session that lasts a few weeks, court officials said. While many current lawmakers — notably House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and Senate Minority Leader John Curran, all three of whom are lawyers — not surprisingly support the new benefit, some former legislators and state legal experts said the benefit for a select few of the state's nearly 86,000 active lawyers raises questions about why members of the General Assembly get the special break. They and others also said it smacked of favoritism from a Supreme Court whose budget relies on lawmakers' approval. 'It does sort of seem like special treatment for a select group of people,' said Kent Slater, who formerly served as a House Republican and as a state appellate court justice. It 'looks like the Supreme Court is trying to make friends with the legislature.' Illinois lawmakers over the years have amassed or worked to collect a wide array of benefits for themselves, including pension sweeteners and salary bonuses for higher-ranking lawmakers. For more than a century, they were able to distribute legislative scholarships, before the program was killed after news stories detailed tuition waivers at state universities for relatives, political cronies and campaign donors. In the 1980s, one legislator even advanced a bill that would have allowed lawmakers who served 10 years in the General Assembly to practice law without going to law school if they passed the bar exam. That idea rose quickly but fizzled fast once the public heard about it. Yet the timing for this latest perk is inopportune, as it comes when Gov. JB Pritzker and his fellow Democrats who control supermajorities in both chambers are showing little interest in implementing any sweeping good-government reforms — even following former Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan's federal corruption conviction earlier this year. Elizabeth Grossman, executive director of Common Cause Illinois, said the idea that lawmakers are now getting another break 'rather than passing meaningful reform that will make the legislature more responsive to the people of Illinois shows us where their priorities are.' But state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, a lawyer and Democrat from Glen Ellyn, said she pushed for the credits because she saw a need. Though she could benefit from the new rule, Costa Howard said acquiring required educational hours 'really isn't hard' for her personally because she already gets significant annual training. But her colleagues, she said, often are in a quandary trying to find time to complete their educational hours while they are busy making laws during crunch time in Springfield. Costa Howard said she reached out to various legal sources, including Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Kay O'Brien, a former House Democrat who represents the lawmaker's region on the high court. 'I sort of just took the bull by the horns and went for it,' Costa Howard said. No doubt, lawmakers can learn something about state laws if they pay attention to debates, ask questions and discuss the legal issues as part of the General Assembly. Because their job, which is technically part-time, also requires them to vote on proposed state laws, they also have an argument that attending legislative hearings could qualify for continuing education credit hours. 'The work that we do as legislators is actually continuing legal education each and every day,' said Costa Howard, who served six years on a House judiciary panel. 'The legislation that you are working on, really going through, has to do 100% with the practice of law. You're looking at statutes, how they are read and interpreted, and it's what we do all the time.' The new rules went into effect at the start of the year but in March the Illinois Supreme Court's Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board sent a reminder to legislators explaining, for example, how a House lawmaker who is a lawyer can receive the credit by sending in a copy of a 'Quorum Roll Call,' the official House record that keeps track of who punched their attendance button for a particular legislative day. A similar process was explained for senators. A video link was even provided to help lawmakers figure out how to get their 'non-traditional' credit. 'You will earn three hours of general MCLE credit by attending at least one day of one qualifying legislative session,' the video said. How much credit lawmakers should receive is another issue getting attention. 'If it adds up to 12 hours, that's quite a bit,' said Ann Lousin, a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago's law school who worked as a researcher at the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention. In comparison, she said, she might get 15 credit hours for writing a substantial law review article or a book on legal issues. Steven Lubet, a professor emeritus at Northwestern University's law school and an expert on legal ethics, called the credit for lawmakers 'remarkable.' 'It is especially weird because full-time law teachers do not obtain credit for teaching law school courses, presumably on the theory that MCLE credit requires more than just doing your job,' Lubet wrote in an email. 'I don't see why that same principle wouldn't apply to legislators.' In an interview, Lubet acknowledged he didn't have a 'great problem' with extending credit for legislative hearings that include evidence about why a law should be written but he said that the inconsistency of what counts as credit is 'jarring.' Costa Howard, while saying she has 'utmost respect' for most law professors, maintained that writing and teaching law is very different from lawmakers' interpreting, preparing and explaining bills in Springfield. The decision to give Illinois lawmakers credit raised the number of states that count legislative service toward legal education to at least 24. Before the decision, the nation was split evenly, with 23 states giving credit to lawmakers for their service and 23 that did not, according to research by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Four states didn't require continuing legal education. Eleven states provided a 'full CLE exemption for attorney legislators,' said Supreme Court spokesman Christopher Bonjean. 'The Illinois Supreme Court has been part of a national movement to recognize the educational value of activities outside of traditional coursework. One early example of this is attendance and teaching at bar association meetings,' Bonjean wrote in an emailed response. 'This has gradually expanded to legal scholarship, lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring and service on Supreme Court Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Expansion of limited credit for legislators is a continuation of this, and the Court most recently added a pilot project for CLE credit for providing pro bono legal assistance.' While a legislator could claim three hours of credit if a short committee meeting is the legislator's only committee hearing or full legislative session for the day, it is likely that every lawmaker will have other scheduled legislative days to participate in a full legislative session or committee hearing for at least three hours in either session, according to court officials. Legislative support included a letter co-signed by Welch 'along with more than 30 colleagues from both sides of the aisle asking the Supreme Court to consider recognizing the work legislators do as part of their continuing legal education requirement,' said Jon Maxson, Welch's spokesman. 'Throughout his time as a lawmaker and attorney, the speaker has completed his CLE requirements and will evaluate how this rule can contribute to this requirement going forward.' Similarly, Harmon spokesman John Patterson said the Senate president communicated to court officials his support for the new rule. Patterson said giving the credits to lawmakers has been talked about for many years and Harmon has indicated his support 'in passing conversations over the years.' 'It seems like a reasonable approach,' Patterson said. 'Continuing Legal Education programs are intended to make sure lawyers stay up to date with laws, and that's what lawmakers do on a daily basis during session.' Patterson said it is possible Harmon will tap into the new credits for legislative service, depending on what his overall tally of credits is when it is time for him to report. Curran, the Senate GOP's leader, said he was not sure if he would partake in the opportunity for credit because his law firm uses the Illinois State Bar Association's online offerings for educational purposes, but he said he supports the new rule. 'I thought it was a very appropriate accommodation by the Supreme Court in recognition of just the volume of statutory work we do as legislator lawyers,' Curran said. 'I would put the statutory work I do as a legislator against any CLE (course) that I've ever been a part of.' House Republican Leader Tony McCombie of Savana is not a lawyer. But her predecessor, former Rep. Jim Durkin, a former prosecutor from suburban Cook County, embraced the idea, saying his time spent debating, discussing, crafting and rewriting bills was more valuable than 'watching a CLE program on my laptop.' Giving credit to this select group of lawmakers, of course, raises the issue of whether the same opportunity should be made available to lawyers elected to city councils and village boards — a point Illinois Municipal League CEO Brad Cole said is a 'natural question.' In their own communities, Cole said, 'local officials write the laws too.' Cole said he would monitor how the credit is used by state lawmakers and, if all goes well, look at requesting the credit be expanded to include lawyers elected to local government positions. Asked whether lawyers elected to local posts should receive similar educational credits, Curran said: 'I think they should direct those issues to the court and ask the court to take a review of it.' One question that often arises in Springfield is, once you start expanding a benefit, where do you stop? In the 1980s, Democratic Sen. Frank Savickas of Chicago took advantage of a fast-paced day loaded with mundane bills to win support on a voice vote for an amendment that allowed lawmakers with a decade of service to become lawyers without going to law school. The one caveat was they had to pass the bar exam. Savickas, who was not a lawyer but enjoyed creating mischief, suggested, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that legislators make laws and should be smart enough to use them professionally. The idea went nowhere once the proposal made headlines, but his move to make veteran lawmakers eligible to practice law became legendary. It even drew admiration from colleagues when the Senate passed a traditional memorial resolution years later upon his death. Even in Springfield, however, the resurrection of the Savickas proposal is unlikely — at least not anytime soon. Costa Howard 'can't imagine' it would pass today. 'Those of us who've actually graduated from law school and taken the bar would take umbrage with that,' she said.
