Larry Bomke
Larry Bomke is a former Republican member of the Illinois State Senate, representing District 50 from 1995 to 2013.
Bomke attended Lincoln Land Community College. Before becoming a Senator, Bomke was an insurance agent and served on the Sangamon County Board of Commissioners.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Bomke served on these committees:
- Committee of the Whole, Illinois Senate
- Financial Institutions Committee, Illinois State Senate
- Local Government Committee, Illinois State Senate
- Pensions and Investments Committee, Illinois State Senate
- Subcommittee on Pension Enhancements, Ranking Minority Member
- Subcommittee on Public Safety
- Transportation Committee, Illinois State Senate, Ranking Minority Member
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Bomke served on these committees:
- Appropriations II
- Financial Institutions
- Local Government
- Pensions and Investments
- Transportation Ranking Republican Member[1].
Issues
Concealed carry
In May 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn announced that he would veto the concealed carry bill on which the Illinois Legislature had voted, if it landed on his desk. The bill would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms in public.
That threat held little water because the bill had a lot of support and might win through a supermajority (71 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate) of votes from both chambers.
Rep. Brandon Phelps said he was trying to find enough support in the House to move the plan over to the Senate. Phelps said he wanted to call House Bill 148 for a vote on May 5, regardless of Quinn's opposition.
"I just think that (Quinn) is wrong," Phelps said. "And you agree to disagree. Sometimes people within your own party disagree with what they say. And I totally disagree with him today."
Under HB 148, Illinois residents 21 and older could apply for permits to carry concealed firearms in public, except for places like schools, churches and inside state government buildings. Applicants would need to pass a written exam, firearms training exercises and background checks.
"About two-thirds of the citizens of our state are steadfastly and strongly opposed to allow private citizens to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public places," Quinn said.
Sen. Gary Forby said the opponents of concealed carry mostly live in and around Chicago and that people downstate, and in other states, support the idea.
"I think all we are doing now, we are really helping the state of Illinois with what they got to do to get a license and stuff," Forby said. "So all you are going to do is put guns in peoples' good hands."
Quinn said the plan may lead to more violence.
"I don't think that's healthy, if you are going to the grocery store," Quinn said. "You bump into somebody accidentally, and they take offense, they can pull out a loaded, concealed handgun to assuage their anger."
Sen. Larry Bomke said the plan would deter violence, because potential burglars would less likely rob homeowners with guns.
"I can only hope that he changes his mind once the bill gets to his desk," Bomke said. "And I feel fairly confident it will. But it will be important that we have enough votes, a supermajority, to override his decision if he chooses to veto the bill."
Rep. Jason Barickman said lawmakers have been working carefully to craft the plan.
“At the end of the day, we certainly would appreciate the governor's support,” Barickman said. “But with him making it clear that he opposes this right, this constitutional right, this right that a mass number of people support. I think that we just have to continue lining up our legislative votes and push forward."
Rep. Norine Hammond hopes that's enough support.
“A lot of people have worked on this very hard — lots of law enforcement input,” she said. “I think it is a very strong bill. And hopefully we could get it passed," she said.
In the end though, Rep. Richard Morthland said it won’t matter what the governor chooses to do with the legislation if there are enough votes.
"There is a last minute roll call being taken just trying to figure out where people are, and how we are doing, and do we have exactly the number of votes we need, how close are we,“ Morthland said. “I think it looks good. Hopefully we will be able to move it this week."[2]
Elections
2012
Bomke announced that he would not seek re-election in 2012 after redistricting placed him in the same district as fellow Republican Sam McCann.[3]
2008
On November 4, 2008, Republican Larry Bomke won re-election to the Illinois State Senate District 50 receiving 82,011 votes, ahead of Democrat John Devine (23,474 votes).[4]
| Illinois State Senate, District 50 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Larry Bomke (R)
|
82,011 | |||
| John Devine (D) | 23,474 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
Illinois Opportunity Project
The Illinois Opportunity Project, "an independent research and public policy enterprise that promotes legislative solutions in advance of free markets and free minds," annually releases its Legislative Vote Card, grading all members in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly on the basis of their support of "pro-growth economic policies that increase personal freedom and reign in expansive government."[5][6]
2012
Bomke received a score of 71.43 out of 100 in 2012 for a grade of C according to the IOP’s grading scale. His score was tied for the 23rd highest among all 59 members of the Illinois State Senate included in the Vote Card.[6]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for Larry + Bomke + Illinois + Senate
District 50
Bomke represented Illinois Senate District 50. District 50 includeed the Greater Springfield region where the State Capitol is located[7].
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Larry is married to Sally Jo Bomke. They have two children and reside in Springfield, Illinois.
FY 2011 budget
When discussions of FY 2011's budget went under way, Bomke said it’s impossible to balance the state’s budget by ordering a few unpaid days for state workers. He thinks anything that Pat Quinn does will only be a temporary fix.[8]
External links
- Biography, bills and committees at the Illinois General Assembly
- Summary, biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Profile at Wikipedia
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996
- Sen. Bomke on State Surge
Footnotes
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "List of Illinois Senate Committees," July 28, 2009
- ↑ "Gov’s threatened veto of concealed carry may not matter," Illinois Statehouse News, May 3, 2011
- ↑ NWI Times, "New map has some Ill. legislators hitting the road," August 14, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Illinois Senate election results for 2008," November 4, 2008
- ↑ Illinois Opportunity Project, "The Project," accessed February 21, 2013
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Illinois Opportunity Project, "Legislative Vote Card home page," accessed February 21, 2013
- ↑ "Illinois Chamber of * Commerce Committee, Illinois State Senate, Northeast Illinois Legislative District Maps, July 29, 2009
- ↑ "Gov: Budget Details Soon" Illinois Statehouse News, June 28, 2010
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Illinois Senate District 50 1995–2013 |
Succeeded by Chapin Rose (R) |
