SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Senate actions came to a halt Thursday when the chamber's president moved all medical malpractice proposals to his committee, causing critics to cry foul.

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony this month from all areas of the medical malpractice debate, expecting the issues would come to a vote Thursday. However, a procedural change moved all bills to the Executive Committee, further delaying their chance to be heard on the floor.

"We haven't accomplished anything coming together that we can support, so therefore I believe that the executive committee will do a much better job at bringing everyone together and not concern themselves about the lawyers but what's in the best interest of the people of the state of Illinois," said Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.

Members of the Republican Party said the decision was politically motivated.

"I understand that in this chamber both sides play games; politics is a phony business, and we all know it," said state Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. The senator is sponsoring Senate Bill 150, which includes caps on jury awards for non-economic damages.

The senator thought his proposal had a good chance of passing before it was re-assigned.

"It became apparent that if it passed this committee it would also pass by, probably, a pretty large percentage in this body, and there are people that don't want that to happen," Luechtefeld said.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said all members of the Senate should be embarrassed by the chamber's conduct.

Jones insists the executive committee will do a better job fashioning an agreement that will keep doctors from leaving Illinois.

But Watson strongly disagreed, saying the move will stifle the voice of the minority party and their constituents.

The executive committee currently has no hearings scheduled, and the legislature will take the next two weeks off for spring break.

Shelby Sebens can be reached at shelby.sebens@;lee.net or 789-0865.