State Representative Jeff Keicher and State Senator Dave Syverson are joining with House and Senate Republican colleagues in a Sangamon County lawsuit to enforce the Illinois Constitution’s Three Reading Rule on Senate Bill 328.
“Once again, Democrats are forcing a reckless bill through the legislature and ignoring the Constitution to do it,” said Senator Syverson. “When they sidestep the rules, Illinois families pay the price. If we don’t push back, they’ll keep crossing the line.”
The constitution demands every bill be read on three separate days in each chamber. Democrats skipped that step, ramming SB 328 through hours after filing the final language.
“The Three Reading Rule is meant to guarantee that the people, and the legislators they elect to represent them, have an open and transparent process in place to review legislation,” said House Republican Conference Chairman Jeff Keicher. “Every time Illinois Democrats subvert that process to advance their agenda, it only degrades trust in state government further. Illinoisans deserve an open and transparent government, and that is what this lawsuit is about.”
The Third Reading Rule is the final stage of debate that bills are supposed to follow as outlined in the Illinois Constitution. The legislative process is designed for legislators to have adequate time to review and debate legislation. Bills are supposed to be read by title three times on three different days
SB 328 is a prime example. The Republican lawmakers say that it invites anyone in America to sue companies registered in Illinois—even when the dispute has zero ties to our state—cementing Illinois as a national “judicial hellhole,” clogging courts, driving up costs, and killing jobs.