Illinois House Delays Budget Session Amid Hazardous Materials Lockdown

In this Tuesday, May 31, 2016 photo, Illinois lawmakers press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session inside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. After failing again to approve a state spending plan, Rauner and Democratic leaders in the Illiniois Legislature look to move past a chaotic night and convince voters the other side is to blame for the state's enormous mess. But there's huge political risk for both sides leading up to the November election. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
In this Tuesday, May 31, 2016 photo, Illinois lawmakers press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session inside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. After failing again to approve a state spen... In this Tuesday, May 31, 2016 photo, Illinois lawmakers press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session inside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. After failing again to approve a state spending plan, Rauner and Democratic leaders in the Illiniois Legislature look to move past a chaotic night and convince voters the other side is to blame for the state's enormous mess. But there's huge political risk for both sides leading up to the November election. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) MORE LESS
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The Illinois House on Thursday delayed its scheduled vote on an override of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s (R) budget veto amid a reported hazardous materials situation and lockdown.

The Chicago Tribune reported that people in the building were instructed to “shelter” themselves and that a “total lockdown” was in effect.

Nobody was allowed in or out of the Illinois State Capitol building, according to the Chicago Tribune, and a livestream showed a Capitol police officer and three people in hazmat suits entering a reception area near the governor’s office on the second floor.

Springfield fire chief Barry Helmerichs said a woman threw a powdery substance into the governor’s office, lieutenant governor’s office and House gallery, according to a report by the State Journal-Register.

City fire marshal Chris Richmond said no injuries were reported, according to the State Journal-Register, and a spokesman for the Illinois secretary of state’s office, Dave Druker, said one person was in custody but gave no further details.

Law630 reporter Hannah Meisel reported Thursday afternoon that an “all clear” was issued in the Capitol to cheering.

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Notable Replies

  1. Billionaire Governor Brucey Rauner (R-Asshat) was about to get his budget veto overturned by the pending House vote.

    The same vote that would give Illinois its first budget in 3 years.

    Governor Brucey was all over Illinois media saying he would do “anything” to prevent his veto from being overturned.

    Well played, Brucey…

    For now… This has Georgia 6th written all over it. Maybe Ms. Handel was in town?

  2. My home state of Illinois can’t catch a break. Sigh.

  3. Scott Pruitt’s on the case. He’s delivering another two carboys of dioxin and PCBs.

  4. Sad, isn’t it. The proposed income tax hike is just restoring the tax rate Brucey cut when he took office on a platform of cutting taxes to bring in jobs. He conveniently forgot that Illinois was already in a huge debt hole.

    It’s not to say that either party is blameless in the debacle of Illinois finances, but could any of us survive three years without a budget, or by not paying vendors we own millions to, all while trying to cut taxes for the rich?

    ^^ Something sounds vaguely familiar about that^^

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