♪ ♪ >>> WELCOME TO "AT ISSUE," THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M H WAYNE WILSON.

THE NEXT TWO WEEKS ARE VETO SESSION TIME AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LEGISLATURE WITH REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS GET TOGETHER TO TAKE A LOOK AT, EXTENSIVELY TO LOOK AT BILLS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR, BUT OTHER BILLS ALWAYS SEEM TO COME UP DURING THE VETO SESSION, SO THE NAME BELIES THE ACTUAL PARTICIPATION THAT OCCURS DOWN IN SPRINGFIELD, BUT WE HAVE TWO SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE JOINING US TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THAT'S IN TERMS OF LEGISLATION AND A LOOK BACK AT A COUPLE MAJOR BILLS THAT WERE PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR.

LET ME INTRODUCE SENATOR DAVE KOEHLER, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PEORIA AND LARGER AREA THAN THAT.

THANK YOU, SENATOR.

>> THANK YOU, H. >> MARK LUFT, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM PEEKIN, WHOSE TERRITORY IS LARGER THAN THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND JASON BARICKMAN IS HERE, AND HE'S FROM BLOOMINGTON, A REPUBLICAN IN THE STATE SENATE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, H. >> BEFORE WE GET STARTED ON THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING WE'RE ALL IN SUPPORT OF IS PENICILLIN REUBENS.

YOU PUSHED THAT THROUGH.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STATE MICRO.

>> WE TOOK A COUPLE SHOTS AT THAT BECAUSE WE GOT THE NAME WRONG AND HAD TO CHANGE IT SO REUBENS IS THE CORRECT NAME, BUT IT WAS A GREAT CHANCE TO KIND OF EDUCATE ALL OF ILLINOIS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCOVERING PENICILLIN.

IT WAS DISCOVERED BY DR. FLEMMING IN ENGLAND, BUT IT WAS MASS PRODUCED IN PEORIA BY THIS NEW STRAIN THAT GOES BACK TO A STORY OF MOLDY MARY, BRINGING IN THE CANTALOUPE INTO THE AG LAB, AND THAT BEGAN THE WHOLE THING, BUT IT IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION IN TERMS OF MEDICINE AND THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE, AND HOW PEORIA, DISCOVERY IN PEORIA, REALLY CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY REALLY.

THE DEATHS FROM WORLD WAR I, WHICH WERE MOST BY FROM GANGRENE AND BACTERIA INFECTIONS WERE RESOLVED BY PENICILLIN IN WORLD WAR II, AND THAT WAS A BIG CHANGE.

>> NOW ON TO THE CONTROVERSIAL -- >> PROOF, H, NOT EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL, AND WE CAN GET ALONG.

>> AND ALL SUPPORTED IT, RIGHT?

>> AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHERS' LEGISLATIONS.

>> GLAD TO HERE.

GLAD THERE'S AT LEAST ONE ISSUE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE UNIVERSAL SUPPORT FOR, AND THAT IS THE CLIMB AND EQUITABLE JOBS ACT.

A MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION, A THOUSAND PAGES LONG.

FOR THE AUDIENCE BENEFIT, SOME OF THE ISSUES IN THAT ACHIEVING 100% 0 EMISSIONS BY THE POWER SECTOR BY 2045.

OF COURSE, THAT CALLS INTO QUESTION THE WASHINGTON COUNTY AND SPRINGFIELD COAL POWERED PLANTS.

GENERATE 50% OF ILLINOIS' ENERGY BY WIND AND SOLAR BY 2040, REBATES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND PROVIDE REBATES FOR NUCLEAR PLANTS IN ILLINOIS.

STARTING WITH YOU, SENATOR KOEHLER, A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION OVERALL?

YES, YES, VERY GOOD.

COMPLEX PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THERE'S NO PERFECT BILL THAT COMES THROUGH SPRINGFIELD SO WE'LL SEE IN FUTURE YEARS IF THERE'S ADJUSTMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS MADE, BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ONE TO LAY OUT KIND OF A FRAMEWORK OF WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE IT AND WHEN WE WANT TO ACHIEVE IT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT ONLY FOCUSING ON HOW WE BEGIN TO CLEAN OUR ENVIRONMENT AND BECOME CARBON FREE AND HOW WE DO THAT AND SHIFTING DIFFERENT WAYS MANY WHICH WE MAKE ELECTRICITY, BUT IT IS ALSO A JOBS BILL.

THERE ARE 13 HUBS THAT ARE SET UP THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT TALK ABOUT RETRAINING AND TRAINING PEOPLE FOR THE NEW GREEN JOB INDUSTRY.

I THINK, OVERALL, IT IS A MAJOR SUCCESS FOR US IN ILLINOIS.

>> YOU DO NOT SHARE THAT PARTICULAR VIEWPOINT, SENATOR?

>> WELL, I SHARE THE VIEWPOINT IT WAS A COMPLEX BILL, AND THERE'S AGREEMENT THERE, BUT MY ANALYSIS OF IT WAS, YES, QUITE DIFFERENT.

I THINK, LOOK, THE GOVERNOR ON THIS ISSUE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY MODERATE HIS APPROACH.

THERE WERE SOME ENERGY ISSUES WE DEFINITELY NEEDED TO ADDRESS AS A STATE, MOST SPECIFICALLY IN REGARDS TO OUR NUCLEAR FLEET, AND, FOR ME, THAT WAS AN ISSUE I WAS SYMPATHETIC TO.

IN TOTAL, THOUGH, THIS LEGISLATION REPRESENTS A DRAMATIC SHIFT IN ENERGY POLICY.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT JOBS.

IT IS ACTUALLY ABOUT WHERE ILLINOIS' POSITIONING ITSELF.

I THINK THE RESULT OF THIS LEGISLATION IS THAT IT PUTS AT RISK ONE OF THE BENEFITS THAT ATTRACTS EMPLOYERS AND CONSUMERS, PEOPLE, TO ILLINOIS.

WE HAVE LONG BENEFITED FROM A STABLE AND LOW COST, EFFICIENT ENERGY SYSTEM.

THIS LEGISLATION PUTS THAT AT RISK.

THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN THE LARGEST COST INCREASE TO CONSUMERS IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE, AND IT IS GOING TO PUT AT RISK, AGAIN, THAT STABLE AND COST EFFICIENT SYSTEM THAT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY RELIES ON FOR THE JOBS THAT THEY PUT PEOPLE TO WORK ON, AND SO, IN TOTAL, I THINK THE GOVERNOR COULD HAVE MODERATED HIS APPROACH AND COME OUT WITH A MUCH BETTER SOLUTION FOR THE STATE THAN HE PUT FORWARD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LUFT, YOU STRUGGLED WITH THIS BILL AND FINALLY WEIGHED ON THE SIDE OF YES?

>> I DID, YES.

>> WHY DID YOU DECIDE THAT THAT WAS THE BETTER VOTE?

>> WELL, IN MY POSITION, IT WAS VERY UNIQUE FOR MY DISTRICT.

I HAVE THREE SUBSTANTIAL PLANTS IN THE DISTRICT.

I BELIEVE IT WAS THE ONLY RED DISTRICT IN THE STATE THAT HAD THREE IN IT, AND AS SENATOR KOEHLER KNOWS, THESE ARE THREE SUBSTANTIAL JOB CREATING INDUSTRIES HERE IN THIS DISTRICT.

YES.

I DID STRUGGLE WITH IT FROM START TO FINISH.

IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX BILLS THAT I'VE SEEN, NOT JUST BEING DOWN THERE BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A VERY SHORT TIME, BUT AS I PAID ATTENTION AND WATCHED THINGS COME THROUGH SPRINGFIELD, I COULD SENSE, AND YOU COULD SEE, IT WAS A STRUGGLE FOR EVERYBODY.

ULTIMATELY, FOR ME, IT CAME DOWN TO THE DISTRICT AND THE JOB CREATION, AND THE FACT IS WE HAD TALKED EARLIER, WE'VE -- THIS PROCESS THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR OVER A CENTURY IN THIS COUNTRY, AND AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO FORMAT A BILL TO GET IT TO ITS BEST, THE TRAIN WAS NOT STOPPING.

SO IT COMES DOWN TO THE DISTRICT.

I AGREE AND AM GOING TO STAY POSITIV IN THE FACT THAT AS THIS GOES ALONG, THAT THEY'LL BE ADJUSTMENTS MADE, AMENDMENTS MADE.

OTHER BILLS WILL COME FORWARD TO FINE TUNE THIS, HOPEFULLY, IN A MUCH BETTER DIRECTION THAN IT IS, BUT IT WAS A LOT TO ABSORB, AND A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE, BUT, ULTIMATELY, FOR ME, IT CAME DOWN TO THE DISTRICT.

>> WELL, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT, YOU KNOW, ILLINOIS' IN A UNIQUE POSITION AS WE HAVE MORE NUCLEAR POWER THAN ANY STATE IN THE UNION.

WE HAVE 11 GENERATORS.

WE PRODUCE 51% OF OUR ELECTRICITY FROM THE NUCLEAR PLANTS.

NUCLEAR PLANTS, THEY RUN FULL BLAST.

YOU DON'T RAMP THEM UP AND RAMP THEM DOWN, YOU TURN THEM ON, AND THEY PRODUCE ELECTRICITY.

IT IS VERY HARD WITHIN THE MARKET, TOO, FOR THEM TO COMPETE SOMETIMES.

SOMETIMES THEY HAVE EXCESS OF ELECTRICITY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH, AND THEY HAVE TO PAY SOMEBODY TO TAKE IT.

SO KEEPING THE NUCLEAR FLEET IN TACT WAS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF WE TOOK THAT CAPACITY OUT OF OUR EQUATION OF HOW ELECTRICITY IS PRODUCED IN ILLINOIS, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO IMPORT ENERGY FROM OTHER STATES, AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIRTY ENERGY.

>> AND THE MONEY, THERE'S ABOUT $700 MILLION OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS.

>> YES.

>> DEDICATED TO PAYMENTS TO THE NUCLEAR PLANTS.

>> YES.

WE HELPED TO SUBSIDIZE THAT, BUT UNDERSTAND HAD WE DONE NOTHING, WE WOULD HAVE LOST THOSE PLANTS AND PAID HIGHER PRICES TO IMPORT ENERGY FROM OTHER STATES.

ILLINOIS IS A LOW COST ELECTRICITY PRODUCER, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE HAVE A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR MANY BUSINESSES AND FOR RESIDENTS AS WELL.

THIS LOOKS AT THE FUTURE OF WHERE WE ARE GOING BECAUSE JUST SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO STAY, YOU KNOW, HERE IN 2021 FOREVER IS NOT REALISTIC.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO ANTICIPATE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

COAL PLANTS ARE NOT A VIABLE, ECONOMIC WAY TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY IN THE FUTURE.

WHAT IS GOING TO REPLACE IT IS A COMBINATION OF THINGS, COMBINATION OF THINGS NOT SEEN RIGHT NOW.

FOR INSTANCE, HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS, WE HAVE MICRONUCLEAR THAT'S BEING DONE RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S IN IDAHO.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT CHANGE DRASTICALLY ENERGY PRODUCTION OF OUR NATION.

>> SENATOR BARICKMAN, JOBS PART OF IT FOR YOU?

THE 1500 JOBS IN EACH COAL PLANT, HIGH PAYING JOBS.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THE COAL PLANTS AND ISSUES THEY WERE FACING WITH THE LEGISLATION, YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY SOMETHING I'M SYMPATHETIC TO.

THE NUCLEAR FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE, REPRESENTATIVE LUFT SPOKE ABOUT THE THREE IN THE DISTRICT THAT HE REPRESENTS.

I THINK THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ISSUE THAT WE TRIED TO SOLVE.

I THINK THAT WAS AN ISSUE WE COULD HAVE COME TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AND SOLVED IT, BUT THIS BILL WAS ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

IT WAS REALLY TO, SENATOR KOEHLER'S POINT, IT WAS REALLY ABOUT THE SETTING OF STANDARDS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.

IT IS ASPIRATIONAL AT BEST.

I MEAN, IT SETS OUT A TRACK TO MAKE ILLINOIS 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY STATE.

TODAY, THAT NUMBER'S 20 PIT20 -- THEGOAL IS 25%, BUT INE ARE LESS THAN 10%.

THE PATH FORWARD IS GOING TO PUT PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.

IT IS GOING TO DRIVE UP ENERGY COSTS, AND IT IS GOING TO CREATE A LESS RELIABLE ENERGY SYSTEM, AND THAT SHIFT IN ENERGY POLICY IS, AGAIN, THE REASON WHY THE LEGISLATION DID NOT EARN MY VOTE.

THE LOCAL ISSUES, AGAIN, WHAT REPRESENTATIVE LUFT WAS FACED WITH, THERE WAS A NUMBER OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE AT RISK.

I THINK THE STATE SHOULD HAVE STEPPED FORWARD AND THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE LED ON THAT ISSUE SAYING, LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM FOR OUR STATE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO IT IN A REASONED APPROACH THAT DOESN'T PUT THE ENERGY GRID AT RISK, AND IT DOES NOT COST THE CONSUMERS AN ARM AND A LEG.

THE GOVERNOR, UNFORTUNATELY, DID NOT HAVE THAT APPROACH SO FOR REPRESENTATIVE LUFT WITH TWO IN THE DISTRICT, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING HERE, I'M VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THAT, BUT, FOR ME, I'M SOMEONE I VOTED SOME YEARS AGO FOR THE FEJA LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORTED THE CLINTON POWER PLANT.

I DIDN'T REPRESENT IT.

I JUST THOUGHT ON BALANCE THAT WAS A GOOD LEGISLATION.

I THINK IN THIS INSTANCE, IT WAS JUST NOT ENOUGH.

>> CAN I CORRECT ONE THING?

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THE GOAL OF THE BILL IS NOT TO HAVE RENEWABLE ENERGY 100% BY 2050 BUT TO HAVE CARBON-FREE ENERGY.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN THAT.

NUCLEAR ENERGY IS CARBON FREE SO IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO SAVE THE NUCLEAR PLANTS BECAUSE THAT IS A CARBON-FREE FORM OF PRODUCING ELECTRICITY.

>> BEFORE GOING TO THE NEXT TOPIC, I WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS WE ORIGINALLY PLANNED ON HAVING JEHAN GORDON-BOOTH ON THE PROGRAM, AND SHE WAS GOING TO PARTICIPATE, BUT THEN SHE HAD A REDISTRICTING MEETING INSTEAD OF BEING HERE IN THE STUDIO, SO THAT'S WHY WE ONLY HAVE THE THREE GENTLEMEN.

USUALLY, I TRY TO BALANCE TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICAN, BUT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT.

NOW THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT REDISTRICTING, LET'S TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED ON SEPTEMBER THE 24th THE MOST RECENT BILL THAT SHOWS THE DISTRICTS FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY A FINAL DECISION.

WE KNOW THAT.

LET ME START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE LUFT, AND WE'LL SHOW A MAP HERE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND SHOW CLOSEUPS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS, BUT DESCRIBE THE CHANGES THAT OCCUR IN YOUR DISTRICT, AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS IS A GOOD SOLUTION AS IT SITS RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, MY DISTRICT CHANGED COMPLETELY.

I AM CURRENTLY THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE 91st DISTRICT.

I WILL, IF I WERE TO RUN AND GET ELECTED IN THE REDRAW, IT WOULD BE THE 93rd DISTRICT.

THE 91st DISTRICT HAS BEEN MOVED.

I PROBABLY LOST IN THE REDRAW CLOSE TO 80% OF MY CURRENT DISTRICT, SO YOU -- YOU'RE BASICALLY STARTING FROM SCRATCH, GOING OUT AND FORMING NEW RELATIONSHIPS.

SO, YEAH, THERE'S -- IT'S A DIFFICULT SPOT TO BE IN.

>> YOU LOST CANTON.

>> I DID.

I LOST CANTON, EAST PEORIA, BARTONVILLE, LOUISTON, FARMINGTON, SO, LIKE I SAID, ABOUT 80% OF MY DISTRICT, AND NOW I SIT AT THE VERY BOTTOM CORNER OF THE 93rd DISTRICT.

I'M ACTUALLY JUST ONE STREET INSIDE MY DISTRICT.

AS FAR AS THE PROCESS FOR THE DRAWS, I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE CORRECT WAY TO DO IT.

IT'S BEEN DONE THIS WAY SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT SHOWS THE RESULT OF THAT.

SO DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT.

WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FORWARD AND HAVING A NONLEGISLATOR DRAWN MAPS, AND THAT'S BASICALLY -- >> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SENATE DISTRICTS HERE AND SHOW -- YEAH.

TODD, THE DIRECTOR, WILL CO-OP THE SENATE DISTRICTS IN A BIT AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE DISTRICTS LOOK LIKE THERE.

WHILE WE WAIT FOR THAT, SENATOR BARICKMAN, THE PROCESS SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT?

>> I MEAN, IT ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THE PUBLIC DESERVES A PROCESS THAT DOESN'T HAVE POLITICIANS DRAWING THEIR DISTRICTS AND PICKING THEIR VOTERS.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A GREAT CYNICISM THAT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY, IT EXISTS HEAVILY IN THIS STATE, AND THIS WAS A ONCE EVERY TEN YEAR PROCESS WHERE WE, AS A STATE, COULD HAVE COME TOGETHER TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD TO BEGIN TO RESTORE SOME OF THAT FAITH THAT THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO HAVE IN ITS GOVERNMENT.

THE GOVERNOR, HIMSELF, CAMPAIGNED ON THE ISSUE OF BRINGING INDEPENDENTS TO THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

HE PROMISED TO VOTERS THAT IF ANY MAP WAS DRAWN BY POLITICIANS, HE'D VETO IT, AND AS THE PROCESS PLAYED OUT, IT'S SHAMEFUL.

HE BROKE HIS PROMISE NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE, SIGNING TWO MAPS THAT WERE DRAWN ENTIRELY BY POLITICIANS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THE OLD ADAGE OF THE SMOKE-FILLED ROOM.

THE PUBLIC IS NOT WELL-SERVED BY THE PROCESS.

THE PUBLIC WANTS CHOICES IN THE ELECTIONS.

THEY DESERVE CHOICES.

I THINK THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN A SHOT, THE TWO PARTIES CAN NOMINATE THEIR INDIVIDUALS, CARRY THE BANNER OF THE POLICIES THAT THEY SUPPORT, AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD GET TO CHOOSE WHO IT IS THAT REPRESENTS THEM.

OUR PROCESS IN ILLINOIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED.

WE OUGHT TO USE COMPUTERS, WE OUGHT TO USE AN INDEPENDENT PANEL, AND DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE STATUS QUO WHICH IS POLITICIANS PICKING THEIR VOTERS.

AS REPRESENTATIVE LUFT SAID, IT IS JUST A PROCESS THAT'S BEEN SHOWN TO BE FLAWED FOR YEARS.

>> SENATOR KOEHLER, FELLOW DEMOCRATS CALLED THIS A FAIR MAP.

IS IT A FAIR MAP AND FAIR PROCESS?

>> WELL, FAIRNESS IS PROBABLY IN THE MIND OF THE BEHOLDER.

YOU KNOW, IT IS A PROCESS.

I DON'T THINK IT IS BAD TO HAVE NEW AREAS AND NEW DISTRICTS -- NEW TERRITORY THAT YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND MEET PEOPLE AND GET TO KNOW THEM AND KNOW THEIR INTERESTS.

I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU HAVE A PROCESS SET UP THAT YOU HAVE CRITERIA, NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE FEDERAL LAWS THAT TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FAIRNESS IN TERMS OF RACIAL AND MINORITY DISTRICTS, BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, INTEREST IN TRYING TO GET COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE LIKE INTERESTS.

YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION IN THE 46th DISTRICT.

THE NEW DISTRICT INCLUDES BLOOMINGTON NORMAL.

I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

YES, OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE, A LITTLE BIT, I HAVE TO GO OUT, MEET NEW PEOPLE, TALK TO THEM, AND GET THEM INTERESTED IN THIS, BUT THAT'S NOT BAD.

>> YOUR OLD DISTRICT WAS MORE SOUTHWEST.

>> YES.

>> FULTON COUNTY, NOW GOING EAST TO BLOOMINGTON NORMAL.

>> RIGHT.

>> ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, IT IS GOOD TO MEET NEW CONSTITUENTS, ECT., GIVE YOU A NEW PERSPECTIVE, BUT LOOKING AT THAT MAP, DO YOU THINK THAT THOSE ARE COMPACT DISTRICTS, OR ARE THEY GERRYMANDERED, AS WE USE THE TERM?

>> AGAIN, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE FOR IT -- THERE'S NO NEUTRALS IN THIS PROCESS, YOU'RE FOR THE MAPS OR AGAINST THE MAPS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO CHANGE THAT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO HAVE PEORIA AND OUR METROPOLITAN AREA IN WITH ANOTHER METROPOLITAN AREA IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

IS THAT FAIR?

I THINK IT IS FAIR.

>> DO YOU AGREE WITH SENATOR BARICKMAN THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION INSTEAD OF A POLITICAL -- >> THE PROCESS WILL ALWAYS BE POLITICAL.

LET'S UNDERSTAND THAT.

IN IOWA, THEY DID COMPUTERIZED MAPS, AND THEY FOUND THAT THEY PUT TWO U.S.

REPRESENTATIVES IN THE SAME DISTRICT.

ALL THE SUDDEN, IT CHANGED.

IT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE POLITICAL.

LET'S JUST UNDERSTAND THAT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE A PROCESS, CRITERIA, AND PUBLIC INPUT, AND WE DO THAT.

>> SENATOR BARICKMAN?

>> WELL, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, NUMEROUS DEMOCRATS IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE TWO YEARS AGO SAID THEY WERE FOR AN INDEPENDENT MAP-MAKING PROCESS.

THEY SENT OUT THE PRESS RELEASES SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE SUPPORT.

I JOINED THEM IN THAT EFFORT.

GOOD BIPARTISAN SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENTS.

THIS YEAR, THE YEAR THAT MATTERED, CRICKETS FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

AGAIN, THAT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

IT IS TRUE, FAIRNESS IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, BUT THE LAWSUIT THAT'S PENDING IN ILLINOIS FILED BY A GROUP CALLED MALDEV, REPRESENTING HISPANIC VOTERS, CLAIMS THAT THIS MAP IS NOT ONLY NOT FAIR, BUT IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT DILUTES THE VOTES OF HISPANIC AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS IN THIS STATE.

SO THERE'S NOTHING FAIR ABOUT THAT PROCESS OR THAT OUTCOME.

UNFORTUNATELY, AGAIN, ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS LED BY THE GOVERNOR COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE STATE ON THIS ISSUE, AND NOW WE HAVE TO RELY ON THE COURTS TO GET IT RIGHT.

>> YET ON THE VOTE ON THE MAP, THERE'S NOT A SINGLE AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEGISLATOR OR SINGLE LATINO LEGISLATOR THAT VOTED AGAINST IT.

>> RIGHT.

>> WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THIS.

THOSE STATEMENTS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, AGAIN, THIS IS THE PARTISAN ISSUE.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

IF YOU GO TO OTHER STATES THAT HAVE REPUBLICAN CONTROL, YOU SEE THE SAME THING IN REVERSE.

YOU SEE THE DEMOCRATS MAD ABOUT THE MAPS THAT THE REPUBLICANS PASSED.

YOU KNOW, WHAT IS FAIR?

I THINK IT IS IN THE MIND OF THE BEHOLDER, IT IS A PROCESS, AND IS IT GOOD OR BAD?

I THINK IT GETS US TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

WE HAVE MAPS THAT ARE GOING TO WORK.

>> QUICK RESPONSE FROM SENATOR -- >> I AM TOTALLY UNSURPRISED THAT INCUMBENT POLITICIANS IN THE MAJORITY PARTY VOTED FOR MAPS THAT PRESERVE THEIR INCUMBENT DISTRICTS.

THE VOTERS, THOUGH, IT WHO THESE MAPS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT, AND HISPANIC VOTERS, SPECIFICALLY, HAVE THEIR VOTES DILUTED BY THIS MAP.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE HISPANIC LEGISLATOR WHO SAYS THEY VOTED FOR IT FOR THEIR DISTRICT.

IT IS ABOUT THEIR CONSTITUENTS, AND THOSE CONSTITUENTS HAVE THE RIGHTS UNDER THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE, IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN JEOPARDY AS A RESULT OF THAT VOTE.

>> WE COULD CONTINUE THIS FOR THE REST OF THE PROGRAM.

YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS, REPRESENTATIVE.

>> IN THE REALITY OF IT IS AND EVERYTHING SAID HERE, THE REALITY OF IT IS IS THE PROCESS THAT WE USE NOW, THERE'S ONLY GOING TO BE TWO OPTIONS TO CHANGE IT, AND THAT IS TO, THROUGH THE COURTS TO APPOINT INDEPENDENT COUNCIL TO DO IT, OR TRUE BIPARTISANSHIP TO AGREE TO DRAW THEM UNDER THE PROPER TERMS THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DRAWN, OTHERWISE, IT WILL CONTINUE IN THE SAME FORMAT IT HAS BEEN.

>> LET'S MOVE TO ETHICS REFORM, THAT LEGISLATION IS THE SENATE BILL 539.

PASSED, IN, UNANIMOUSLY IN THE SENATE, VOTE OF 113-59 IN THE -- SORRY, 113-5 IN THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE, DID THIS LEGISLATION GO FAR ENOUGH?

>> IT DID NOT.

I DESCRIBED IT AFTER SESSION AS ASKING A CONTRACTOR TO COME AND BUILD YOU A HOME, AND HE GOES OUT TO YOUR LOT AND YOU DON'T PROVIDE HIM WITH WOOD AND SHINGLES AND DRY WALL, AND THEN THE MATERIALS HE NEEDS TO BUY THAT HOUSE, HOW LONG WILL THAT CONTRACTOR SIT ON THAT PROPERTY WAITING TO BUILD A HOME, WHICH IS KIND OF THE SPOT WE'RE IN WITH OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL.

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE AN INSPECTOR GENERAL THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOB AND DO IT PROPERLY, HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP THAT INSPECTOR GENERAL?

THIS ONE WAS VERY UNIQUE TO ME AS MAYOR IN PEEKIN, WE RECENTLY, FINALLY PASSED A TRUE ETHICS REFORM FOR OUR COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND FOR STAFF, AND SO I'M FULLY AWARE OF WHAT TRUE ETHICS REFORM IS, BUT THIS IS NOWHERE CLOSE TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE TO ACTUALLY GET THE HOUSE BUILT.

>> A COUPLE FEATURES OF IT REQUIRES LOBBYISTS TO COMPLETE ETHICS TRAINING, INCREASES TRANSPARENCY OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES.

IT STRENGTHENS THE LOBBYISTS' REGISTRATION ACT, AND BANS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM ENGAGING IN COMPENSATED LOBBYING.

YOUR TAKE ON THE BILL, SENATOR.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD BILL.

I AGREE.

I THINK THERE'S MORE WE CAN DO.

CERTAINLY IS ADDRESSING THE AREAS, AND I FULLY SUPPORTED IT.

>> WE HAE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT, SENATOR, I WANT TO GET TO THE -- IS IT POSSIBLE, THE RIGHT OF CONSCIOUS ACT MIGHT COME BEFORE THE VETO SESSION?

>> WELL, I HEAR THAT IT MAY.

>> SURE.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE IT FOR US IN BRIEF?

>> WELL, THAT'S AN OLD LAW, I THINK, PASSED AS A RESULT OF SOME OF THE KIND OF THE DISCUSSION AROUND ABORTIONS SOME YEARS AGO.

THERE'S PEOPLE TODAY WHO IDENTIFIED THAT LAW AND ARE USING IT TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE GOVERNMENTAL MANDATES REGARDING THE VACCINE.

ESSENTIALLY SAYING THAT BECAUSE THIS LAW ALLOWS ONE TO OPT OUT OF A MANDATE LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT VIOLATES THEIR CONSCIOUS, THAT THEY ARE PROTECTED FROM DOING SO.

THE GOVERNOR'S INDICATED HE'D LIKE TO SEE THE LAW CHANGE.

OF COURSE, HE'S FOR THESE, YOU KNOW, THESE MANDATEDS, AND -- MANDATES, AND SO IT IS POSSIBLE WE'LL SEE A FORM OF THAT HERE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> THE ISSUE IS THIS.

THAT THERE'S A BELIEF THAT THE RIGHT OF CONSCIOUS DID NOT REALLY PERTAIN TO A PANDEMIC SITUATION, AND SO WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING, LOOK, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TAKE A TEST.

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, WEAR A MASK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT VIOLATES MY, YOU KNOW, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

YOU KNOW, ON VACCINATIONS, I THINK THAT THAT MAY BE ONE AREA THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT, BUT, CERTAINLY, IN WEARING A MASK OR TAKING A TEST WHERE YOU PROTECT YOUR STUDENTS OR YOUR FELLOW, YOU KNOW, WORK MATES, WHATEVER, I THINK THAT GOES A LITTLE TOO FAR, AND SO I THINK WE DO NEED TO RESTRICT THIS TO GO BACK TO THE INTENT OF THE LAW, AND THAT IS TO PROTECT A PERSON'S INDIVIDUAL OR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

>> AND WITH THAT, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO DISCUSS.

I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

AS USUAL, HALF HOUR IS NOT SUFFICIENT WHEN WE ARE TALKING TO OUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES.

LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO SENATOR DAVE KOEHLER, DEMOCRAT FROM PEORIA, JASON BARICKMAN, AND MICHAEL LUFT, THANK YOU, ALL THREE FOR THE STIMULATING CONVERSATIONMENT I APPRECIATE IT.

NEXT WEEK, WE ARE BACK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE," AND THIS TIME, WE ARE CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF UNITED WAY SUPPORT.

THE HEART OF ILLINOIS UNITED WAY WILL BE ON THE PROGRAM NEXT TIME TO DISCUSS WHAT THEY'VE DONE OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

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