Illinois House Democrats Wednesday passed legislation out of the House which Republicans say was filed at the last minute and completely lacking in transparency. 

An amendment was filed on Senate Bill 2412 Wednesday morning and it was assigned to the House Executive Committee.  A hearing was held shortly there after and on Democrat votes, it passed out of committee.   Two hours later, the bill was brought forth for a vote on the House floor.

The measure would put three questions on the statewide ballot.  Illinois currently limits the number of questions that can appear on a statewide ballot to three.  That means any other questions advocates would like to see on the ballot, have been squeezed out.   Earlier this year, advocates were in Springfield collecting signatures and discussing a possible advisory question, asking whether parents should have to grant approval for their children to receive gender-affirming care.  With the three questions approved by House Dems; the parental question, or any other planned proposal, could not be put on the fall ballot. 

State Representative Brad Halbrook says it’s an effort to freeze out Republicans.

One of the referendum issues put forth by House Dems, adds questions about a property tax relief package that Illinois Republicans say Democrats would never consider passing through the legislature to give Illinoisans the tax relief they deserve.

Senate Bill 2412 was originally about placing children in adequate homes, but the amendment has turned it into an election bill. The bill passed with 67 Democrat votes.   House Republicans all voted present as a protest vote.