Local representatives are looking to pass several pieces of legislation when the 93rd Illinois General Assembly session begins Tuesday.

Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Sycamore), representing the 35th District of the Illinois Senate, said there are a couple of “hot and heavy” bills that affect DeKalb County.

One bill that Burzynski is introducing will regulate public hearings for Native American tribes seeking gaming contracts from the state.

Currently, the Potawatomi Nation is looking to build a casino in Shabonna. Native American tribes seeking gaming contracts do not do so in open public hearings, Burzynski said.

“[The legislation] impacts aren’t with a small area, but a community, the county and the state,” Burzynski said. The bill has a major impact state-wide.

Also, there is a senate bill that, if passed, will ban horse slaughtering. Cavel International is a horse-slaughtering company that is trying to rebuild its facility in DeKalb. The original building burned down in April 2002.

Burzynski also is looking to repeal existing legislation, he said.

A current law states that new drivers can have only one person under the age of 20 in the car with them. Burzynski said he is unsure if he can get the law appealed.

“We’re going to try,” Burzynski said. He said he was concerned that the law would create more problems, such as traffic congestion.

Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Sycamore), the 70th District representative, said the 93rd session is an appropriations session. He said he is particularly concerned about “rolling back” some the fees imposed by the last session. More than 300 fees were introduced last year.

Pritchard also said he wants to “hold the line on government spending,” but he said he thinks it will be hard to accomplish.

“We’ve got to find a way to live within the dollars the state has,” Pritchard said.

There are a number of capital improvement projects that need to be funded, Pritchard said. Also, Pritchard expressed concern that Gov. Rod Blagojevich may cut NIU’s funding again this year.

The key issue Pritchard said he was concerned about was the fees.

“People don’t want more property taxes and fees,” Pritchard said.