The Capitol Fax Blog » This just in…

Friday, Jul 6, 2007

* 12:36 pm - The governor has called two more special sessions.

- Special Session 3 will convene Saturday at 2 pm and will “address the funding of the State Employees Retirement System.” The proclamation can be downloaded here.

- Special Session 4 will convene Sunday at 2 pm and will “address the funding of the Teachers Retirement System of Illinois.” That proclamation is here.

So much for the dream of an early Saturday session followed by a late Sunday session.

* 2:24 pm - There seems to be a disagreement about who can set the time of the special sessions. Madigan has told the House GOP that he wants to come in at 10 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday, the guv’s times notwithstanding.

* 2:54 pm - The governor has asked for a leaders meeting tomorrow at noon.

- posted by Rich Miller

45 Comments

- Anonymous - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 12:47 pm:
Well, I think it’s official now. Blagojevich is channeling Governor Walker, with equal success.

- Kiyoshi Martinez - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 12:50 pm:
Rich, FYI, the proclaimations aren’t loading. I think you need to change the filenames to remove the “#” symbol.

- dk57 - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 12:52 pm:
Let’s all enjoy the taste of downtown Springfield and make the best of it. I’m starting to think that the governor might not be very good at his job.

- No kidding - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 12:59 pm:
gee, you think?

- Gregor - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 1:01 pm:
So, tell me, what bad thing would happen if they just ignored the governor and didn’t show up? Apart from a “small” PR problem, I mean. Would Rod send out state troopers to arrest them or something?

- Capitol Out My Window - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 1:18 pm:
The 2 p.m. start time gives him time to travel down from Chicago - despite what he said. Ya’ think??

- Squideshi - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 1:23 pm:
I think that we need a counter up on this site showing how much these special sessions are costing Illinois taxpayers each day.

- Moderate Repub - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 1:43 pm:
well that poses a problem for Emil. I hear his members are jumping all over him about special session this weekend, especially the Jewish members. Gov has no tact. Maybe this will push Emil into a compromise with the speaker and other leaders. If he detatached from the Gov, this thing should be over.

- 2010 Isn't Soon Enough - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 1:56 pm:
Perhaps the Governor is thinking of having everyone over for a Sunday Brunch at the Mansion.

- Josh - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 1:56 pm:
If both chambers recess this afternoon, are they still obligated to be acting on subject matter/legislation at 2:00 pm tomorrow? Or will they be considered in special session since they are only recessed?

- El Salsa - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 2:00 pm:
Its too bad that the Governor has to have a special session just to get the lawmakers to stay around town and work on a budget. They should want to be here.

- Pingback - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 2:04 pm:
El Salsa- there is nothing for them to do. Anyone notice the literal dark coud hanging over the capitol? blue skies everywhere else.

- FYI - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 2:05 pm:
Just because the Gov has called for the Special Sessions doesn’t mean he can set the time for legislators to be in these sessions. Madigan will begin and end them as he see’s fit.

- DeepFriedOnAStick - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 2:29 pm:
Josh, a special session continues until the Senate or House adjourns it sine die. So if the chambers do not adjourn sine die, and the governor calls another special session - as is the case - then multiple special sessions may exist simultaneously.

However, the chamber may convene into only one session at a time; it must adjourn each session before convening into another.

The long and short is that the governor did not need to call another special session. The Senate and House could have met Saturday and Sunday in the special session that began Thursday. However, the governor controls only when the first meeting of a special session begins - and not when subsequent meetings of the same special session begin.

Madigan and Jones decide when exactly to have subsequent meetings of a special session.

So by ordering additional special session on Saturday and Sunday, the governor ensures that the House and Senate will adjourn when he tells them to adjourn. As I’ve said before, the man has gone off the deep end.

- Mr. Hand - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 2:33 pm:
So, they could come in, take attendance, and adjourn, right?

- one of the 35 - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 2:40 pm:
This is getting almost as absurd as the peace talks during the Korean War. Before they could agree on any war issues, They first had to address how tall the flag poles had to be. The Gov and the GA cannot agree on any budget issues, they must first decide the time of day that sessions will start. This is pathetic in every sense of the word.

- grad student - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 2:52 pm:
El Salsa- the legislature has been in Springfield. The governor has not.

- Mr. W.T. Rush - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:06 pm:
Just heard today’s rap from Blaggo….apparentlty his joke writers had a brain freeze. He is using the same dumb “right wing” stuff as Wednesday. I guess the sleep over at the Mansion did not stir the creative juices.

- A Citizen - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:10 pm:
” * 2:54 pm - The governor has asked for a leaders meeting tomorrow at noon.” Will Pat Quinn be there?

- plutocrat03 - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:24 pm:
What next? Perhaps the legislative members need to flee the state aka the Texas dems did in ‘02 or something like that…
Looks like Mark Twain Louisiana, Mo is the closest ‘foreign’ town to Springfield. (approx 60 miles)Hope the hotels are nice…….

- Concerned Voter - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:28 pm:
Blago, “Okay, mine is bigger!”

Emil, “No, mine is bigger!”

Madigan, “No, mine is bigger!”

State of Illinois Residents, “No, we all think you are all pretty much a bunch of Big —– right now!”

- Unmitigated Gall - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:33 pm:
Speaking of Korea (above), this is getting as bizarre as the regime of Kim Jong-il. . . .

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:45 pm:
I’m still trying to figure out whether the Governor has lost his marbles — doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result — or whether doing everything imaginable to prevent budget agreement is his goal.

- shermans ghost - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:49 pm:
Have the guest speakers been announced ?

Pingback Address The Funding Of The State Employees Retirement System « QC Examiner - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:53 pm:
[…] Address The Funding Of The State Employees Retirement System According to Rich Miller, Blago is calling for a special session to convene Saturday that will “address the funding of the State Employees Retirement System”. […]

- OneMan - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:03 pm:
So this is what
Testicular Fortitude

Looks like…

- NIEVA - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:14 pm:
Get rid of the pensions I will work till I can work no more and I will draw my social security if it’still there. This Gov. has made more prolbems for himself and the rest of us than all other Gov. combined!!

- A Citizen - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:14 pm:
It’s more like the legislative process has been castrated.

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:16 pm:
Overtime Haiku….what an awesome concept.

Hot Rod wheels spin
Madigan smiles knowingly
Flat tire

- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:37 pm:
Standard Haiku meter is 5-7-5 syllables of unrhymed verse.

try this:

Hot Rod wheels spin fast
Madigan smiles knowingly
Driving on flat tires

- Crimefighter - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:37 pm:
Hey Rich, do you think you can commission a professional poll on a Nov. 2006 election do-over to see if the state voters would had stuck with Blago, voted for Judy or changed to Green?

- capitol view - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:41 pm:
the House just adjourned, and is coming in at 10 am. Madigan inferred that all the Special Sessions may run at that time, if business is left in any of them - so they may be through for the day by the time of the noon meeting with the Governor. Back the next day at 4, so time to go home and come back again.

- So Ill - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:42 pm:
Press Release:

Gov. Blagojevich congratulates Illinois Senate for passing resolution affirming its commitment to shoring up State’s decades-old pension debt

So, did the Senate stay in session for more than an hour today?

- OneMan - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:44 pm:
listen to me now
You will meet when I say so
Listen now damn it

Special Session Time
Come on down for ten minutes
Stay for the cozy dog

- Little Egypt - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:52 pm:
Hmmmm. Mr. Blago “asks” for a leaders meeting instead of ordering it. Why become courteous at this late date?

- Anon from BB - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:54 pm:
I just heard on the radio that Blagojevich told the senate that he is open to an income tax increase…if the people want it. Essentially, he wants to put it to a statewide referendum.

- Cap'n Crud - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 4:56 pm:
senate pension talk
guv’s resolution passes
voice vote ensures it

house considers bill
oh-oh guv, it’s roll call time:
only six aye votes

- curious george - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 5:11 pm:
I haven’t read this much sensational Haiku poetry since Sister Mary Carrol (at Christ the King, Spfld.) made our 5th grade class write reams of it to publish in her book!

- curious george - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 5:16 pm:
Rich, maybe you too could publish the ‘Illinois’ Haiku on your t-shirts or in a coffee table book… what a contest…Sojurne House would really benefit

- OneMan - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 5:17 pm:
No Weekend for you
I fly back home tonight
See you tomorrow

Spending the night here
Springfield has electric light
Who knew, not Milrod..

- Mr. W.T. Rush - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 5:33 pm:
Gov. Blagojevich congratulates Illinois Senate for passing resolution affirming its commitment to shoring up State’s decades-old pension debt

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today congratulated members of the Illinois Senate for passing a resolution affirming members’ commitment to solve the state’s mounting pension crisis so future generations will not be burdened by mounting deficits. Without action, the retirement of state and university employees, teachers, judges, members of the Illinois General Assembly, and anyone who depends on a state pension would be jeopardized.

Between Fiscal Years 1972 and 2003, the State of Illinois’ unfunded pension liability grew from $2.8 billion to a staggering $40 billion. Despite a record investment of $13.3 billion into the pension systems over the past four years, Illinois’ unfunded liability is still one of the highest in the nation. Without significant action, payments to cover the growing pension debt will absorb nearly all anticipated natural revenue growth, leaving little for important programs like healthcare and education.

And it came on an oh so courageous voice vote!

- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 5:33 pm:
Lawmakers convene
Lots of empty time on hand
Visit Deja Vu

Special session start
Not much gets accomplished here
August budget next?

- Lopa - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 5:51 pm:
Madigan and his legacy will be around when Blagojevich is long long gone and a bad side bar in a bad part of a bad person in Illinois history.

- Disgusted - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 7:58 pm:
Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Jul 6, 07 @ 3:45 pm:

I’m still trying to figure out whether the Governor has lost his marbles — doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result — “or whether doing everything imaginable to prevent budget agreement is his goal.”

YDD: Remember, Milarod did say when the legislators were pushing for meetings, ‘what’s the hurry.’” THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO “HMMMMMM.”

- Larry McKeon - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:52 pm:
The Gov needs a good 12-step program. I can lend him some good reading material. But to be successful, he needs to work the first step and get over his denial.

I have served as a sponsor for a couple of house members. I will gladly sponsor the Guv if he deals with his denial and make a serious attempt at recovery.

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