[Bumped to the top for obvious reasons.]
* 9:17 am - The governor has called a special session for tomorrow at 9 am to take up the matter of a one-month budget. House Speaker Michael Madigan just told his members to plan to be in session throughout the weekend, as well as next Monday and Tuesday.
…Adding… The current one-month budget expires next Tuesday.
* 9:29 am - I just asked Senate President Emil Jones’ spokesperson about the special session proclamation. She talked to Jones and issued this statement from him: “We are working on a twelve-month budget.”
* 9:33 am - That looming deadline of July 31st was specifically cited by the governor’s office as reason for the special session proclamation, which apparently hasn’t yet reached the House, according to Speaker Madigan.
The “bright rumor” had been for days that the leaders would stay in town this weekend and members would go home. But Senate President Jones was coy with some of his members yesterday, and reportedly wouldn’t indicate one way or another what the schedule might be.
* 10:05 am - The governor’s special session proclamation (number 9, if you’re keeping track) can be downloaded here.
* 10:16 am - Thanks to a commenter for reminding me about this memo, sent by Secretary of State Jesse White to all of his employees this week…
“Recent news reports of an Illinois government shutdown have raised questions regarding the impact of the office of the Illinois Secretary of State.
“If a shutdown does occur, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office will remain open and employees will be required to work their normal schedules. Employees will be compensated, as always, for this time.”
* 10:47 am - Rep. John Fritchey has announced that he will run for 32nd Ward Democratic Committeeman. Read the press release here.
* 10:49 am - My intern Paul, who is “retiring,” just got a nice round of applause from the entire state Senate.
* 11:17 am - I’ll post the audio of the availability in the subscribers only section, but the AP has this…
Senate President Emil Jones says he’s not interested in another temporary budget. He wants to come up with a real budget.
*** 12:00 pm *** WLS reporter Ryan Hermes has posted excerpts from interviews with three legislative leaders.
* President Jones…
“Myself and the other two leaders, Cross & Watson & the speaker sat down to talk about the budget.”
- “The governor let his views be known, but we’re the legislative leaders.”
- “It’s up to us to make that decision as to what we should do and where we should compromise.”
- “We should fashion a budget to were we don’t have a government shutdown.”
- “We’re taking about education, healthcare, capitol program, mass transit funding.” […]
- “I intend to try to get it (budget) done around the first week in August - no later than the first week in August . I’m working towards a budget for a full year, not just a one month extension.”
* Speaker Madigan…
- “I think we could do a 12 month budget before Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.”
On yesterday’s leadership meeting:
- “I found it to be a very productive meeting. We identified the areas of difference and had some very productive discussions as to how we can find sufficient revenue to pay for - say - an increase in education.”
- “Our plan is to meet again today.”
- “I’m very hopeful that this process (meeting without the governor present) will give us a 12 month budget some time next week.”
* Leader Cross…
“I still think we’ve got a long way to go.”
- “One side (Senate) wants to spend into the billions and the other side (House) says they can get it done with existing revenues.”
- “You have to look to the Democratic party and the Democratic administration and say ‘why can’t you get this done?’”
* 1:12 pm - From Ryan Hermes’ WLS updates…
I just saw Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) come strolling out of the governor’s office.
He told me he met with Governor Rod Blagojevich for about 30 minutes.
The two talked about “building a relationship.”
A little late for that.
* 3:38 pm - FYI, the four legislative leaders have been meeting in Senate President Emil Jones’ office since about 2 pm. The governor, as before, was not invited. There was hope throughout the Statehouse that Jones might try to convince the governor to rescind his special session proclamation. But his spokesperson said a while ago that the Senate planned to meet tomorrow, as per the proclamation.
*** 4:15 pm *** Paul reports that it was just announced that there will be no further leaders meetings this weekend. This afternoon’s leaders meeting concluded a few minutes ago. Cross and Watson talked to the press. Madigan refused. Jones is still in his office. Audio later in the subscriber section.
* 4:20 pm - The budgeteers will meet this weekend. That often means there was progress on an outline. Special session will continue as planned, but don’t expect a big turnout.