Years served: 2009 - Present
Committee assignments: Pensions and Investments (Minority Spokesperson); Commerce; Consumer Protection; Executive Appointments; Human Services; Insurance; Committee of the Whole; Subcommittee on Pension Reform (Sub-Minority Spokesperson); Subcommittee on Insurance Mandates; Joint Committee on MPEA.
EDUCATION
Duffy voted to exempt teachers, principals and school superintendents from FOIA disclosure.
At the urging of the teachers’ unions and just months after approving what was billed as a sweeping reform of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Duffy voted for SB315. The bill exempts from FOIA disclosure of performance evaluations for teachers, principals and school superintendents. Also supporting SB315 was the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 which seeks the same exemption for all public employees who receive performance evaluations. (2010)
PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES
Duffy voted to abolish the death penalty in Illinois.
Duffy was among the four Republican State Senators who voted with the Democrats to abolish the death penalty in Illinois (SB3539). (2011)
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Duffy voted for the Illinois DREAM Act.
Duffy voted YES and helped pass the Illinois DREAM Act, legislation awarding special rights and benefits to undocumented immigrants in Illinois (SB2185). (2011)
REFORM (or the lack thereof)
SB35 / SB600
Duffy voted against SB600 on April 2, 2009 on the floor of the Senate. Fortunately the reform bill still passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 44 to 13. UPDATE: On April 8, 2011, Duffy did the right thing and voted “yes” on the same bill (now known as SB35). Duffy now joined a unanimous Senate in passing SB35. (2011)
Duffy voted to exempt teachers, principals and school superintendents from FOIA disclosure.
At the urging of the teachers’ unions and just months after approving what was billed as a sweeping reform of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Duffy voted for SB315. The bill exempts from FOIA disclosure of performance evaluations for teachers, principals and school superintendents. Also supporting SB315 was the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 which seeks the same exemption for all public employees who receive performance evaluations. (2010)
Duffy did nothing to help cleanse the Illinois Republican Party of the tainted National Committeeman Bob Kjellander.
Bob Kjellander could have been removed and replaced with an honest leader a lot earlier, if only Republican “leaders” like Duffy were serious about reform. Duffy never joined the rank-and-file and more serious officials who overwhelmingly called for Kjellander’s immediate ouster. It’s only because Duffy and a tiny handful of other old guard faces refuse to unify on reform that even this simplest of clean-ups remain difficult to accomplish.
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TWITTER
