January 31, 2011
By Melissa Leu Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House of Representatives and Senate have canceled sessions and committees this week because of a winter storm that is expected to hit the state Monday. Both are set to reconvene on Feb. 8.
Legislative leaders, however, don’t expect the delay to affect what’s already in process.
“What is on tap for next week is what [would’ve been] on tap for this week,” said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. “We’re just in the process of continuing bills… I don’t think there will be any great change.”
The House and Senate were originally scheduled to return to work on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
“Quite honestly, people are just going to have to be careful [getting back],” said Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, about the anticipated icy conditions.
A winter storm is expected to hit Illinois by mid-afternoon on Monday and last into Wednesday. Some areas of central Illinois, where Springfield is located, could get up to a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service.
The new General Assembly was seated on Jan. 12, and members met briefly the next day. This week would have marked their return to the Capitol.
Originally reported by Illinois Statehouse News. Read the original article here.