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This just in… *** Important updates in “red” ***
Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller * 10:14 am - The House has just 84 of 118 members present today. * 10:19 am - The House Speaker is calling Special Session 3 to order, almost four hours early. Gov. Blagojevich had called SS#3 for 2 pm. Rep. Jay Hoffman, the guv’s floor leader, is challenging Madigan’s move. More info here. * 10:21 am - Madigan asked the parliamentarian to respond to Hoffman, but noted first that yesterday’s special session began over two hours late and nobody objected. Parliamentarian: The Constitution does not give authority to the governor to require a specific date and time. Instead, the Constitution gives each chamber the authority to decide when and where to meet. As for statutes, the special session laws do not require the governor to put date and time into SS proclamations, but does require it for the two legislative chamber leaders. Hoffman: “You guys are gonna rule the way you want.” Hoffman (speaking to colleagues): “You may not like me for saying this, but think about sticking around.” [Hmm… Perhaps the guv will call another special today?] Rep. Black: “It doesn’t make any difference if we meet at 2, 4, 6… These arguments and press availabilities are degenerating into a childish, schoolyard tantrum.” Rep. Lang: “I hardly know where to begin… The letter that was sent to the Speaker creating or attempting to create a Constitutional crisis is an insult to all of us.” * 10:53 am - The governor has issued another proclamation calling another special session. This could go on all day. * 10:57 am - The newest special session will convene at 2:30 pm today to consider any legislation to address the Child Support Administrative Fund. Download the proclamation here. * 11:04 am - Rep. Bost just suggested that the House should look into impeachment. I think that’s the first time the “I” word has been mentioned on the House floor in my entire career. * 11:07 am - Gubernatorial expert won’t be made available to testify to the House on the SERS pension system (the subject of Special Session 3) until 2 o’clock. The games continue. * 11:10 am - If you’re not listening to the House debate, what the heck are you thinking? This is pretty fun stuff. Go here. * 11:22 am - Rep. Black is now urging his colleagues to stop the rhetoric on impeachment. * 11:40 am - Speaker Madigan has just advised Rep. Black that the governor has no authority to use the State Police to compel attendance at special sessions. Madigan is now convening Special Session 4. If I’m following this correctly, SS#4 was supposed to meet tomorrow at 2. [UPDATE: SS#4 is the one called today for 2:30.] * 11:47 am - Speaker Madigan has invited everyone in the chamber to join the leaders meeting scheduled for noon. Hilarious. * 11:49 am - Special Session 4 has been adjourned until Sunday at 5. Madigan has told the House that he’ll adjourn and reconvene tomorrow afternoon at 5. He said that if the governor continues to issue proclamations, he will convene those special sessions at the same time tomorrow. Madigan’s parliamentarian told the members that he is not aware of any authority that allows the governor to compel attendance to special sessions. “The governor controls the State Police, but it is our position there is no authority to compel (members of) the House into a special session.” The Speaker has offered to give members copies of the language that his parliamentarian just cited, “so you can carry it with you.” The announcement was met with raucous laughter. I’m heading into the Statehouse, so no updates for awhile. * 1:29 pm - The leaders meeting has been moved to the governor’s mansion. Apparently, quite a few legislators are in the ballroom right now from both chambers. Reporters are being kept on the first floor. I was just sent a text from inside the meeting informing me that Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) is giving the governor what-for. Lang delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor earlier today and I’m trying to get it uploaded here. * 1:34 pm - Lang’s comments in the leaders meeting a few minutes ago were about the pension bill. Lang pointed out that the House has voted down the Lottery lease bill and that it couldn’t pass out of the Senate anyway so it’s a waste of time to continue discussing it. Senate President Jones then sharply criticized Lang for his comments earlier today. I’m having trouble uploading Lang’s speech. Maybe later. Somebody else needs to use this computer now.
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- Tea Leaves - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:18 am:
Who are the absentees?
- unclesam - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:21 am:
House just adjourned Special Sessions #1 and #2 until 5 pm tomorrow.
Speaker now trying to call Special Session #3 into order, and Rep. Hoffman (Blago’s man) is arguing that he does not have the legal authority to do so.
- Nick - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:36 am:
Thanks for keeping us updated over the weekend!
- Squideshi - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:37 am:
Hoffman could have appealed from the ruling of the Chair, if he felt that he had a strong argument (See House Rule 57) but it sounds like he didn’t have any argument at all.
- unclesam - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:42 am:
Especially when the case Hoffman cited applied to the Illinois Constitution prior to 1970… the court ruling on that case is not applicable to the current IL Constitution.
The current IL Constitution does not directly give the Gov the authority to specify date and time of a special session… only the House/Senate can do that.
- 312 - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:43 am:
What if the Gov called a special session for this afternoon and nobody showed?
Would the press still cover it?
Be careful what you wish for Guv, you just might get it…
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:54 am:
Article 4, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution states:
“(b) The Governor may convene the General Assembly or the Senate alone in special session by a proclamation stating the purpose of the session; and only business encompassed by such
purpose, together with any impeachments or confirmation of appointments shall be transacted. Special sessions of the General Assembly may also be convened by joint proclamation of the presiding officers of both houses, issued as provided by law.”
It states nowhere in the text that the governor has the authority to set the time of the session; only that he can call the session and state its purpose.
This line of thought is a loser for the governor and Hoffman knows it. It is just another waste of time by the governor and his minions.
- NimROD - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 10:57 am:
” * 10:53 am - The governor has issued another proclamation calling another special session. This could go on all day.”
Impeachment. Now.
- Rep. Ed Sullivan - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:02 am:
Rich,
Rep. Lang just finished a speach that pretty much states the feelings of the house. In my short tenure in the house I beleive this to be one of the finest speeched given. It would be my request that you put an audio link to his speach up on your fine blog for all in the world to listen.
Thank you
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:03 am:
Rich:
Sure looks like this is shaping up to be ‘Proclamation Saturday’. Any bets on whether or not Madigan will convene this one early as well? If he does, do you think he will simply adjourn it without action? As you say, this could go on all day but I just don’t see the governor coming out on top of this game.
- Rich Miller - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:04 am:
It may take awhile, Eddie. I’m in the office, so if you could ask staff to e-mail me an MP3, I would happily post it here.
- Reality - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:07 am:
Unclesam: Your table is ready…good call. Next, maybe Rod will ask for an opinion from former Attorney General Granville Beardsley (R-Deceased).
- unclesam - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:13 am:
I whole-heartedly agree with Rep. Sullivan regarding Rep. Lang’s speech. I don’t have the capability, but if anyone else does… let’s get it posted on the blog.
Also, for those staying here this weekend, the Lincoln Greens Golf Course is celebrating 50 years with fees of only $2 for 18 holes if you play after noon today and tomorrow.
I’ll join anyone who wants to play… I just need a set of clubs (left mine at home today).
- heet101 - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:22 am:
There’s more denim in that room than there is on a cattle drive.
- Animal House - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:22 am:
Attention Speaker Madigan and all your Deltas:
The governor has put you ALL on DOUBLE-SECRET PROBATION!!!!!
See how they tremble?
Seriously, we need to end this. I think Emil is the key right now: if he breaks with Rod now, the logjam is over, the two Leaders can run the table, and pass whatever they want over Rod’s head. To make sure he doesn’t re-arrange the spending priorities on his own initiative, once given such a budget, make the money flow thru the Treasurer and Comptroller’s offices. Rod will be as relevant to Illinois government as the Queen is to British government.
- Squideshi - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:25 am:
Article IV, Section 14 of the Illinois Constitution provides:
“The House of Representatives has the sole power to conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial officers.” (Emphasis added.)
So, the House has the power to decide if cause exists to impeach Blagojevich. Such an impeachment would be tried by the Senate, with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding.
The concurrence of 2/3 of Senators elected would be required for conviction (Note that this does not appear to apply to those appointed) and Blagojevich would face removal from office and disqualification to hold any public office in Illinois.
Do the votes exist in the House and Senate to actually make this happen?
- Rep. Ed Sullivan - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:29 am:
Sorry folks, we cannot get a copy of any debate until the house adjourns. Sweet Lou’s speech will have to wait till later.
- unclesam - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:29 am:
Squideshi,
To answer your question… “no.” I don’t think there are 2/3 votes in both the House and Senate to impeach the Governor at this time.
However, if circumstances deteriorate further in dramatic fashion, and/or something major breaks with the feds… then I could potentially see Blago being impeached (and almost unanimously at that).
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:32 am:
I can’t imagine enough votes exist in the Senate to convict but I would not be surprised if enough exist in the House to bring the action itself.
Ask again after another month of inaction and see where we are.
- FED UP - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:41 am:
I think impeachment is a fine idea and ts about time the house began to debate the idea.
- So Ill - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:46 am:
Rich, I think the 2:30 session became SS 4. But I could be wrong.
- So Ill - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:46 am:
Mulligan: “He damn well better get his act together” regarding human services.
- So Ill - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:48 am:
Madigan: “Any of you who want to come down to the Governor’s office, as far as I’m concerned, join the meeting.” (regarding the leaders’ meeting)
- Blagojevich End Game - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:49 am:
It occurs to me that the Governor has had his way with pushing his “message” from a campaign standpoint, usually because he’s had a 5-1 cash advantage to control the message.
He seems to be working under the same cavalier attitude as when campaigning, unaware - I guess - of the fact that he isn’t working under the same ratios of message control.
- FED UP - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:50 am:
Blago lost when it comes to start times. Madigan is treating the Gov like a whinning little girl ignore her and she hopefully will learn how to behave or go away.
- So Ill - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:51 am:
the ISP stuff is interesting.
- So Ill - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:52 am:
House adjourned.
- Leigh - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:53 am:
How dare the governor call Madigan a right wing Republican. I know right wing Republicans and that man is no right wing Republican:) I think recognizing that Blago is a socialist is more spot on.
- Fake Bill - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 11:55 am:
Bill, where are you? No comments?
- Old Time Springfield - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:02 pm:
Sitting here at Lincoln Tower, I just heard emergency vehicles with their sirens wailing louder as they got closer, and I actually went to the window to see if maybe an armada of State Police cruisers were descending upon the Capitol. It turns out it was just an ambulance. This level of paranoia can’t be healthy.
- Squideshi - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:04 pm:
Anyone know about a feed for the leader’s meeting?
- Leigh - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:05 pm:
Can’t decide whether to laugh or cry today.
- Peoria Pete - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:05 pm:
Rich- Tom Irwin is playing with Raoul and Bill Layman at Floyd’s tonight- If I see you there I’ll buy you a beer. Bring Bill along and I’ll buy him a beer too. In fact, bring the Governor, the Speaker and the President and I’ll buy them beers until they agree on something/anything !
- Dan - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:06 pm:
Is this debacle reaching the level where it might start getting national media attention?
If so, or if it does, would any of our national leaders from Illinois find it embarrassing enough that they would quietly encourage the state leaders to arrive at a resolution?
I’ll hang up and listen to your response.
- silentk - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:08 pm:
It has just been anounced that the Leader’s meeting has been rescheduled at 12:30pm at the Governor’s mansion. “Lunch will be provided.”
- sad - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:10 pm:
These are the sort of antics that end up making school boards and student governments nervous. If you go along…do the ho-hum quiet business of government…no one pays any mind. Make a spectacle and they (the citizens) suddenly are attracted and they will come in droves. While that may be good for democracy. Umm…bad for keeping things on the quiet side so the usual Democrat tax and spend can be easily distributed. Mr. Blagojevich has earned my vote for his next position…President… of a High School Student Council.
- Gregor - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:18 pm:
“It has just been anounced that the Leader’s meeting has been rescheduled at 12:30pm at the Governor’s mansion. “Lunch will be provided.””
Somebody warn Shiela and Rebecca to clean up their suites, company’s coming!
Also, can somebody text Rod some directions on how to get there from his hotel across town?
I remember the days when Thompson used to have everybody, regardless of party, over to the mansion to celebrate to the wee hours with drinks and food after a budget was passed.
- Squideshi - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:19 pm:
“It has just been anounced [sic] that the Leader’s meeting has been rescheduled at 12:30pm at the Governor’s mansion. ‘Lunch will be provided.’”
I could make a comment about the Governor’s mansion being in Chicago; or Blagojevich having finally found a use for the mansion in Springfield; but I decided to go with this instead:
Oh great, so now Blagojevich is claiming that he has the authority not only do decide that there will be lunch but also what will be served?
- It's hot in the Patch today - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:22 pm:
The governor’s office sent away the members of the House and told them to come to the mansion at 12:30. It appears the leader’s meeting will take place there.
- ironman - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 12:54 pm:
I am sure glad to see all of this infighting. The people of Chicago should be proud of re-electing hot rod..He can’t lead a donkey to water, let alone a horse..
- Gross Out! - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:01 pm:
Pool party at the mansion, HotRod will be donning a Speedo.
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:01 pm:
Does anyone doubt that the move to the mansion is so the governor can control attendance? Or is simply another jab at Madigan for making the invitation in the first place?
Who’s playing games now Governor?
- Values Matter - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:10 pm:
As a Democrat who lives a couple hundred miles away from Springfield, it is disheartening to see members of our party behave this way. The image they project is not one of maturity and professionalism, but rather pettiness and ego-centrism. It’s time to put a stop to the games.
It’s time for leadersnip. Rep. Lou Lang gave one of the best speeches I’ve heard in a long time.
- NIEVA - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:10 pm:
Do you think they could get Jim Edgar to act as a go between??
- Woman - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:13 pm:
The real problem is that there are no women at the table to get things done.
- OneMan - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:22 pm:
Wow…..
For those of you stuck in Springfield during this I think the wise words of John Blutarsky are best…
“My advice to you is to start drinking heavily”
You better listen to him too, he is a pre-med student.
OneMan
- Gregor - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:25 pm:
When they get to the buffet, Madigan will tell Rod:
“No soup for YOU! One YEAR!!!”
- Gardner - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:34 pm:
Any beer trucks pulling onto the mansion grounds?
Maybe Rod plans to get the special invitees liquiored up.
- Arthur Andersen - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:36 pm:
And remember, Mr. Blutarsky went on to serve in the United States Senate. Another important thought to live by from the same scene in that classic film, especially in these days, is Otter’s comment to Flounder (after the Deltas totalled Brother Fred’s new Lincoln)
“You “screwed” up-you trusted us.”
As far as the whereabouts of Bill, rumor has it he’s over at the Mansion making a huge stack of chicken salad sandwiches and running the vacuum.
But you know how thse rumors are.
- Failed Propaganda - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:38 pm:
Is the press invited to this mansion soiree?
Remember Rod no air conditioning, electicity is to damm expense.
- A Citizen - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:42 pm:
All of this governor’s game playing gives me a feeling of being “all dressed up and no where to go”. Show us the way Mike M. and soon, please.
- 312 - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:48 pm:
I bet Bill is at the mansion, stirring up a batch of Kool-Aid…
- blago hater - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:48 pm:
Blago is sooo much like LIL BUSh always trying to get his way. Impeachment might be the only way to get this sorry case of governor to appear in public. I guess they could charge him impersonating a chief executive officer.
I am a Democrat who did not support this guy in the beginning because you could tell he was just all show and no substance. Fellow Democrats do not you wish you would have supported Paul Vallas and we would have been on a real course to correct the funding problems in Illinois.
- Illinois Citizen - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 1:48 pm:
Having watched the video for the last two days and seeing/hearing what is going on, this should be saved and uploaded to Youtube. To date, the media reports (video and newspaper) do not do justice as to what is transpiring with our elected govenment. The statements of this Governor’s budget team never did answer the true questions about his Lottery proposal. The Governor’s public comments are directed towards public manipulation of fallacious or incomplete facts. The media will portray the House as going home for siesta instead of dealing with the Pension issue as requested by the Gov. However, you will probably never hear that the SERS chief would not allow the numbers guy to appear until 2:30 when the House was ready for him at 10:30! Yes, people…taxpayers of this great State, watch, listen and evaluate for yourselves. Do not rely upon the media to accurately or fully summarize what is really happening! Get it on Youtube.
- One Word! - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 2:13 pm:
IMPEACH!
- Very clever.......... - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 2:19 pm:
If Milo were to get impeached, wouuld he off the hook for all those federal subpoenas?
- Truthful James - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 2:26 pm:
Rich –
Your coverage has been great.
The problem is that the MSM is treating all this in the shadows. A column a day, sometimes on page 5 of the metro section of the Trib, for instance.
On the video side a little discussion on Public TV but the comemrcial stations don’t cover it at all — it does not bleed or burn and they can not encapsulate it.
It is a damn shame. It needs to get public attention. It should grate on our minds, daily.
- Rich Miller - Saturday, Jul 7, 07 @ 2:27 pm:
Let’s start a new thread and close this one down, OK? Thanks.