SPRINGFIELD – After a renewed surge in COVID-19 infections forced the postponement of the upcoming General Assembly veto session at the Capitol, Senate Transportation Chair Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Spokesperson Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) pledge to continue to work together to improve Illinois’ infrastructure.

Villivalam and DeWitte remain committed to working in a bipartisan manner on a number of issues.

“Even though the Illinois General Assembly will not be convening for veto session due to the recent rise in COVID-19 infections and increasing hospitalizations, we pledge to continue to do the work of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, including—among other vital issues—ensuring the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan is executed in a responsible and transparent manner,” Villivalam said. “We remain committed to ensuring our roads, highways and bridges are safe.”

The Springfield area’s rolling average positivity rate for confirmed COVID infections had skyrocketed to 14.4 percent in recent days, prompting concerns about hospital capacity in the capital city, which is the medical provider for the downstate region.

The veto session was scheduled for Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3 to bracket the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have been meeting with state agencies and key stakeholders virtually and convening several committee hearings, to make sure that we improve the state’s transportation and infrastructure system,” DeWitte said. “There's much work to be done and we will continue to do it. The taxpayers of our state deserve no less.”

The current 101st General Assembly wraps up business in January when the members of the 102nd General Assembly will be sworn in and the legislative process starts anew. The 102nd General Assembly begins Jan. 13, 2021.

The brief fall session of the General Assembly is known as the “veto session” and is when lawmakers traditionally resolve conflicts with the governor. However, there are no vetoes to address this year.