House GOP Members Push for Fracking Vote

Illinois House Republicans are pushing for a vote on a bill regulating high-volume oil and gas drilling in Illinois.

Minority Leader Tom Cross said Tuesday that the legislation would create tens of thousands of jobs and revenue. He says it should be acted on immediately.

The plan to facilitate and regulate fracking has been negotiated by lawmakers and the industry. But it's been held up in committee.

Cross and Republican Rep. David Reis, a sponsor of the bill, allege that House Speaker Michael Madigan is politicking. They say he's using the measure as political leverage on pension legislation and other issues.

Madigan has said he wants a moratorium on fracking while safety and regulation issues are studied. His spokesman Steve Brown said Tuesday that all the issues haven't been worked out.