[Rezko trial updates moved to this post.]
* 12:18 pm - The Senate is now taking up the constitutional amendment for recall. Listen or watch it live.
* 12:26 pm - If - If - the Senate passes the recall proposal today, the House plans to run it on Sunday. Speaker Madigan told the chamber a few minutes ago that the State Government and Administration Committee will meet at 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon. The House will then take up the constitutional amendment after the hearing.
Speaker Madigan claims he can move the bill from 2nd to 3rd Reading during a perfunctory session on Friday or Saturday. The Republicans questioned whether he could do it, but he said the parliamentarian informed him that it was acceptable.
I’m hearing that the recall rollcall is “close” in the Senate. Oftentimes, though, when these things hit the Big Board they get a lot more votes than anticipated. We’ll see. Also, keep an eye out for any motions filed.
* 12:28 pm - This may not be an extraordinarily long debate. Sen. Trotter just moved the previous question, and there are just eight people seeking recognition.
*** 12:45 pm *** The timing on this announcement is somewhat odd, considering the recall vote today…
Senate President Emil Jones says Illinois lawmakers deserve the pay raises they’re scheduled to receive over the next two years.
Jones wouldn’t say Thursday whether he would let lawmakers vote on whether to reject the proposed raises. Unless legislators formally reject the money, the raises take effect automatically.
*** 1:06 pm *** Very quick gavel and the constitutional amendment garnered only 33 votes. It needed 36. It’s dead.
*** 1:08 pm *** The Republicans are now attempting to discharge the House version of the recall amendment from committee and move it to the floor. So far, the Democrats are not complying - which is no suprise.
*** 1:11 pm *** Sen. Halvorson just moved for adjournment. Wow, they’ve got some chutzpah. While the Republicans are screaming to get the other recall proposal out of committee, Halvorson moves to adjourn until next week. That’ll go over well.
*** 1:24 pm *** Sen. Halvorson just said that she wasn’t even on the floor when the motion to adjourn was made. [I misunderstood what Kevin was saying on the cell phone. My bad. She was on the floor when the motion was made to adjourn.] These motions are often plotted in advance, but she was done no favors by the leadership team today.
*** 1:27 pm *** The roll call is now online.
*** 1:29 pm *** Democrats voting No: Bond, Clayborne, Collins, Cullerton, DeLeo, Demuzio, Haine, Harmon, Jacobs, Lightford, Link, Martinez, Meeks, Noland, Raoul, Steans, Sullivan, Trotter, Emil Jones.
Democrats voting Present: Munoz, Wilhelmi
Democrats not voting: Forby (wife had surgery today), Hunter, Sandoval, Viverito
Republicans not voting: Lauzen
*** 1:49 pm *** From the AP…
During floor debate, Jones railed against the idea of recalling elected officials and ridiculed its main backers, including Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock).
Jones said the legislature should be focused on enacting Blagojevich’s plans to expand health care and pumping more money into schools rather than taking punitive action against one man — presumably Blagojevich, though Jones did not cite the governor by name.
“No piece of legislation should ever be aimed at any individual. It’s wrong,” thundered Jones, the governor’s chief legislative ally.
*** 2:44 pm *** From the IL State GOP…
“This really is not a surprise considering the fact that Senate Democrats are intent on protecting Rod Blagojevich in any way they possibly can,” said ILGOP Spokesperson Lance Trover. “Moreover, Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson who has tried to gain advantage on both sides of this issue failed to lead her fellow Democrats to do the right thing.”
According to The Capitol Fax, following the failure of the recall amendment Republicans were asking for the house version of the recall amendment to be called for a vote. Senator Halvorson’s motion to adjourn the senate ended any chance of further action.
*** 3:00 pm *** From the Sun-Times…
“I think recall is a giant hoax,” said Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), who voted against the amendment after calling on the Senate floor for the governor — the implicit target of the recall amendment — to resign.
*** 4:37 pm *** Majority Leader Halvorson press release…
“I was very disappointed and surprised that the recall amendment fell short in the Senate today. I voted for the legislation in both committee and on the floor, because I strongly believe that, more than ever, we need complete transparency and accountability in our government. We need to hold elected officials – at all levels – to the highest ethical standards and demand they serve with integrity and honesty. The people of Illinois deserve nothing less.
“It is this same deeply-held commitment to open and honest government that is driving my efforts to crack down on pay-to-play politics. We’ve crafted a strong bill that I believe will pave the way to a better, more honest government.
“Finally, despite erroneous reports to the contrary, it was not my decision to adjourn the chamber following today’s vote.”
Nobody said it was your decision, Senator. But you are on record as making the motion.