Lawmakers introduce bill that will allow General Assembly to meet remotely in emergency situations

Two state lawmakers filed legislation Monday that would allow the General Assembly to remotely meet and vote on legislation in emergency situations.

The two Democrat lawmakers from Chicago, Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Robert Martwick, said in a joint statement they consider the bill to be a “starting point for discussion” and plan to talk to their colleagues to shore up support for the bill.

Williams hopes the bill is passed as soon as possible “so we can be prepared for whatever 2021 brings us,” although she hasn’t seen a set date for discussion on the matter.

“I think we all realize that we work better in person ... but if something occurs that precludes that, to happen safely, we need to identify options for getting our jobs done,” Williams said.

Under the proposed bill, the speaker of the House and the president of the Senate would have to issue a joint proclamation to allow for the emergency remote session and committee meetings. The bill also requires the House and the Senate to adopt rules to permit member participation.

Rich Hein/Sun-Times

The Senate adopted rules earlier this year that allow the lawmakers in the state’s upper chamber to participate remotely as long as there’s a quorum present. It also allows senators to convene virtual committee hearings.

A similar bill in the House failed during the legislative session in May — the last time the state’s legislature met.

Like Williams, Martwick said he will be reaching out to colleagues. But he also pointed out, “I would like to believe that what has transpired since this bill failed [in the House] would be all the lobbying that needs to be done,” referencing the coronavirus pandemic that’s raged on in the months since legislators last met.