SZALINSKI’S SUMMARY: House Democrats went to a private caucus ahead of a vote on an amended megaprojects bill that could help the Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights. Democrats also wanted to consider a constitutional amendment to tax millionaires this week. Both bills have thin margins toward passage.
COMMITTEE: The House revenue committee voted to advance House Bill 910, the vast megaprojects and economic development bill designed to keep the Bears in Illinois. Questions in committee were mostly about technical aspects of the bill, including what impact it might have on property taxes near megaprojects.
Two Republicans, Reps. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, and Brad Stephens, R-Rosemont, joined Democrats on the committee to advance the bill. Chicago Democrats on the committee, including a few substitutes, supported the bill as well.
It’s also still not entirely clear if Gov. JB Pritzker, the Senate or even the Bears themselves support the bill, as several changes have been made since it was last heard in the House in February.
MILLIONAIRE TAX: A proposed constitutional amendment to tax millionaires an additional 3% on income over $1 million is also up in the air this week. The House must move the amendment before they leave this week in order to meet the May 3 deadline to place amendments on the November ballot.
That proposal is also believed to be close on whether or not it has enough support to pass the House. Unlike regular bills, constitutional amendments require 71 votes in the House, so Democrats can only spare a few members without the bill failing.
A variety of concerns surround the amendment, including putting a specific tax rate in the constitution, where money from the tax will go and even general willingness from Democrats to wage a campaign for the amendment this fall.
WHAT’S NEXT: The House is still expected to vote on the Bears bill Wednesday night, but that could change if the caucus reveals it doesn’t have support from 60 Democrats to pass and Speaker Chris Welch declines to waive that rule. It’s also unclear if the amendment will get a vote.
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