Bennett Recaps the Veto Session for Constituents

State Representative Tom Bennett Addressing a Town Hall Meeting in Pontiac/WJEZ photo archive

By Neil Doyle

A local lawmaker is recapping the fall legislative session in Springfield.

State Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) says several measures were passed, including a bill that will consolidate Illinois’ 649 downstate police and fire pension funds into just two.

“This reform will generate better investment returns and cut administrative costs,” said Bennett. “Consolidation is expected to lead anywhere from $800 million to $2.5 billion in investment returns alone. This has the potential to save local taxpayers millions of dollars.”

Another measure passed is a cap on the cost of insulin to $100 for a 30 day supply.

Bennett and other GOP lawmakers were displeased about the lack of ethics reforms taken. The legislature passed one bill that creates stricter regulations for lobbyists and a resolution setting up a task force to study what other reforms are needed.

The General Assembly returns to Springfield in January.