Sen. Steve McClure (R-Jacksonville) recently voiced his opposition to a bill that would expand the Local Journalism Task Force.
McClure said that he opposed the expansion since there were currently too many vacancies on the current task force.
The Local Journalism Task Force. … I think is there there are 10 vacancies currently,” McClure said during a debate on the Senate floor on Feb. 25. “I’m curious why we’re expanding this when the current positions are not filled?”
Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) answered that the expansion was to finalize the numbers on the task force and that additional appointments would be made later.
“We’re simply waiting to finalize the number of task force members on the journalism task force,” Stadelman said. “We wanted to broaden and include more representatives at the table and so while we are finalizing this legislation and finalizing the makeup of the task force, some of the remaining appointments were not made but I’ve talked to most members who are willing to be on the task force and they are going to be submitting their names.”
The bill passed with 49 Yes votes and five No votes. Sens. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville), Neil Anderson (R-Moline), McClure, Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia), and Win Stoller (R-Peoria) opposed the bill.
The bill arrived in the House on Feb. 28 and is being sponsored by Democratic Rep. Dave Vella (D-Loves Park) in the House.
The new legislation will add additional members to the Local Journalism Task Force to be appointed by the governor within 30 days of the effective date.
