In addition to voting on the last legislation of the spring, the wee hours of Saturday were a time for farewells.
For House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Chicago), it was the retiring veteran lawmaker Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago).
“Our majority leader. Our chief budgeteer. My friend, you are the embodiment of a public servant, and this chamber will miss you dearly.”
For Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), it was the chamber itself.
“I want you to take a look around this chamber,” Harmon said. “We will not be coming back here for quite some time, probably a couple of years while the construction project is underway. This is a grand chamber where we assemble. It’s a beautiful setting in which we do our work. We’re lucky to be part of this history.”
The fall veto session will start the Senate’s time in the Howlett Building next door. They could convene in the Senate chamber again