Three members of Illinois congressional delegatio switch votes on second version of bailout

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SPRINGFIELD - Three members of Illinois' congressional delegation switched their votes Friday, helping push a retooled $700 billion bailout plan through the House.

Republican U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale and Democrats Bobby Rush and Jesse Jackson Jr. voted for the Wall Street rescue plan, which was approved 263-171 after having fallen short just days ago.

Downstate lawmakers stuck by their guns.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson of Urbana, who represents the 15th Congressional District, again voted "no."

Johnson said the revamped measure had some good points, but that the legislation was a "rush to judgment" that was "patched together in haste."

"I am not willing to gamble taxpayer money, or our children's and grandchildren's money, on a bet that rewards the very people and institutions that got us into this mess," Johnson said.

"We are in this mess because people in privileged positions made unwise, risky decisions. I will not be part of the same mistake," Johnson added.

U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood voted in favor of the plan, just as he did Monday. The Peoria Republican, who is retiring when his term ends in January, said the vote was among the top four most important ones of his 14-year career.

It came against the backdrop of widespread opposition to the bailout from constituents in his district.

"This was an important signal to give a boost to not only Wall Street but Main Street as well," LaHood said.

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, also didn't change his vote the second time around.

Shimkus said if one believes in capitalism, you can't choose to let it run free when things are going well, only to impose government restrictions during tough times.

"The basic premise is flawed," Shimkus said, who added that the cost of the program was too great.

"I don't think people understand how much $700 billion really is. It's just too big of a number," Shimkus said.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, who was the lone congressman to miss the earlier vote, was in Washington on Friday and voted "yes."

The Morris Republican said the legislation would inject confidence into the credit market and help get the economy back on track.

"Ultimately, when weighing the cost of doing nothing against passing this flawed bill, it became clear that the price of inaction on the part of the House was too great," said Weller, who is retiring when his term ends in January.

U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Rock Island, who represents the 17th Congressional District, again voted "yes."

Hare said the new measure has been improved by increasing the cap on federally insured bank deposits and other safeguards aimed at making sure taxpayers are not left holding the bag.

"We shouldn't see a penny coming out of taxpayers' pockets," Hare said.

Hare said he supported the legislation because he's seeing financial pain in his district.

"It's bad out there. If we waited, I think it just gets worse," Hare said.

Democrat Jerry Costello of Belleville was among those voting "no" again.

Costello said the bailout was moving too fast through Congress and puts taxpayers at risk. He said the new version was worse than the previous one he opposed because it merely kept the original plan and added some tax breaks.

"The Wall Street bankers that helped get us to this point need to be paying to help right our economy. We can still take a step back and listen to the chorus of voices - from economists to our constituents - calling for a more thorough evaluation of our options," Costello said.

"I am still very concerned that we will come to regret the long-term ramifications of this action," Costello added.

In all, 13 Illinois congressmen voted "yes," while six voted "no."

kurt.erickson@lee.net|789-0865

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