* 2:47 pm - The governor has called special sessions for Saturday and Sunday to take up a one-month budget.
…And here they are… Special Session Proclamation 13, and Special Session Proclamation 14.
* 2:53 pm - There are no available hotel rooms in town because of the State Fair, the Senate has already passed a budget and the House will soon, so I’m betting almost nobody shows up for these specials.
* 3:03 pm - The House passed the one-year budget 98-8.
* 3:41 pm - Ryan Hermes…
I just overheard a House Democratic staffer asking members what days they wouldn’t be available in August.
* 3:47 pm - The Tribune is finally catching on to Mayor Daley’s attitude about the Chicago casino that I’ve been writing about for the past few days…
City Hall sources said the mayor still does want a casino for Chicago, but he does not embrace the current structure of the legislation.
For one, the revenue split is so diverse–with money potentially going to education, schools, construction and other projects–that the Chicago would see very little–maybe less than $30 million a year–even though it would be the host city, the sources close to the mayor said.
The city would like to get a revenue stream significant enough to fund capital programs for schools, parks, museums and other city infrastructure, the mayoral sources said. Secondly, the idea that a casino could start generating money almost immediately is overly optimistic given the elongated process of licensing, bidding and getting a facility up and running, a process that could take several years. […]
And the idea that a gambling facility could be up and running within a few months is ludicrous, he said.
* 3:50 pm - Oy. Speaker Madigan has distributed a perfunctory session calendar that takes the House through the end of October.
Those aren’t actual session days where he will call members in for work, but if special sessions are scheduled on those days then the House could do other work besides what is specified in the governor’s proclamations. Looks like Madigan may be settling in for a long fight, or at least signaling to the governor that he’s not afraid
** 4:03 pm *** Speaker Madigan speaks to the House…
“The purpose of scheduling perfunctory sessions [through the end of October] is to provide that we will be available if needed… if the governor takes actions on bills… Our plan is to give you as much notice as possible… It clearly would be more than a day… The governor has already issued proclamations calling for special sessions for tomorrow and Sunday [to take up a one-month budget]. We’ve since sent the governor a twelve-month budget. We’ve done our job… Given what we’ve done, I don’t think there’s any need for consideration of a 30-day budget.
“Gary Hannig, who lives locally, will be here at the appointed time [much applause]… to convene the special sessions. And in the event there are special sessions next week [Hannig will be there as well].
“My advice to all members would be: Don’t come to Springfield. We’ve done our job. There’s no need to work on a 30-day budget. Again, don’t come to Springfield until you get notice from my office or from Rep. Cross’ office.”
* Madigan also said the budget implementation bills would be taken up sometime in the future.
* The Speaker said the mass transit issue could require a return to town. Madigan said he planned to “get to work shortly after one or two days off” and would take up the issue.
* The Speaker also said he’d be willing to take up the health care issue this summer.
* 4:13 pm - From a press release…
State Representative John Fritchey (D-Chicago) today announced that both the House and Senate have passed legislation that would extend and increase the property tax cap bill which the General Assembly enacted a few years ago. House Bill 664, of which Fritchey is a chief sponsor, will not only extend “the 7% solution” (which limits the increased taxable value of homes to 7% per year) for an additional three years, but also boosts the exemption cap from $20,000 to $33,000 in the first year. The bill also includes several new forms of relief for long-term homeowners, seniors, and veterans
* 4:17 pm - Word’s going around that the governor will use his veto power to reduce the 12-month budget down to a 60-day budget. Stay tuned. It’s also likely that the guv will line-item out the legislative pay raises.
This makes me wonder even more about today’s meeting with Senate President Jones and what Jones may have agreed to. The only way the governor could make any budgetary veto stick is if Jones stood with him.
- Crimefighter - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 2:59 pm:
What’s the gov gonna do, have them stay in the governor’s mansion?
- Alex - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:00 pm:
I love where in the Proclamation it says that the GA must pass a one month budget to avoid a government shutdown… Hey Gov “Wait 5 mins and we will have passed a 12 month budget… so I guess we can go home now”. Seems like the facts set forth in the proclamation don’t quite ring as “true”.
- Princeville - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:02 pm:
Maybe another naive observation on my part, but was it not the Guv this monring who asked Jones to hold on to the budget. Why is the Guv announcing he feels it was unnecesary blah blah.
The Guv is coming this weekend to his special sessions, right? Even if no one else is there, he has to work, he has to work has been his excuse for everything for two days now.
- MOON - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:03 pm:
If the house now has the senate’s passed version of the budget the game is over for the Gov. The house will pass the budget and send it to the Gov. If he doesn’t sign it then the schools will not open because there is no money. The medicade program shuts down. The court order only allows the employees to be paid (until 8/31/07). The Gov. call for a special session will fall on deaf ears. He will be the only one in Springfield after the house passes the budget. The Gov. is crazy. Where are the Feds. when we need them.
- Michael Scott - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:04 pm:
I figured he’d be flying home for tonight’s Sox game. It is Elvis night.
- True Comparison - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:06 pm:
The House just passed the Senate’s Budget HB3866.
- So Ill - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:07 pm:
Hmm…which ‘No’ is now a ‘Yes’?
- Skeptical Optimist - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:11 pm:
So Ill, if I remember right, it was 99-9 before, now it’s 98-8, so I don’t think anyone switched votes, they just weren’t here.
- CrazyInSessionOverTime - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:12 pm:
Why would Curry move to reconsider the vote??
Also, it doesnt matter to me if it is only the Governor or not, I will be at work this weekend; again. I think my summer is now officially gone.
- Ghost - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:12 pm:
Is this kind of support for a budget typical? the number of votes in support from both the house and senate look higher then we typically see.
- So Ill - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:12 pm:
Mmm, good point, Skeptical. Math not a strong suit in my district. More school funds needed
- Moderate Repub - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:13 pm:
Black was a no now hes a yes
- Jaded - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:14 pm:
Crazyinsessionovertime,
To prevent someone else from doing it.
- the Other Anonymous - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:17 pm:
If Curry moved to reconsider, and then the motion was tabled, I believe that means that there can be no further parliamentary obstacles to getting the bill to the Governor.
- dc - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:17 pm:
the motion to reconsider is a parliamentary move designed to illicit a motion to table (Lang). By tabling the motion to reconsider, the vote cannot be reconsidered. It’s a backward’s way to ensure that the vote on the bill is not debated ad nauseum in attempt to hold up the process. Without that particular process, someone who was opposed to the outcome of the bill could use a process to essentially shut down any further action.
Bottom line: it’s an ugly part of the sausage being made.
- Tito - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:17 pm:
Curry moved to reconsider Hb 3866 so another member could not make the same motion and prevent HB 3866 from being sent to the Governor. (Remember what Hendon did to Forby.) Rep. Lang then immediately moved to table Curry’s motion so the motion to reconsider could no longer be used as a means to hold up the bill. This was a coordinated effort.
- Crimefighter - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:23 pm:
So it goes to the governor now right?
- A Citizen - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:25 pm:
If they can find him and get past his security.
- CrazyInSessionOverTime - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:25 pm:
Thanks for the explination.
- Ghost - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:26 pm:
Yes it is now off to the gov’s hands. he can sign it; ignore it; veto it in whole; or excercise his line item veto power.
- anon - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:26 pm:
I don’t think any of the senators who have passed me on I-55 look like they plan on turning around for the special sessions.
- CrazyInSessionOverTime - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:27 pm:
Ugh . .. too tired.. explanation
- Toto - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:29 pm:
There’s no place like home… there’s no place like home…
- Crimefighter - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:29 pm:
If it goes to the gov, the only reason for a special session is him vetoing the thing tonight and making the house and senate override the veto.
- Helm - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:30 pm:
Is there any hope of the House adjourning anytime soon ?
- Ghost - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:32 pm:
Crime they handle veto’s in the veto session not special sessions. Read Rich’s column for a better idea why he is calling the special sessions.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:34 pm:
They can vote on vetos in a regular session, but unless they schedule a regular session for tomorrow, they won’t be able to override the veto in the special session.
- Linus - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:34 pm:
C’fighter: OR … the special sessions are to consider the stopgap, 30-day budget the Guv demands while he’s squatting on the 12-month budget for 60 days, shrieking and flailing some more
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:36 pm:
To the person I deleted: Your completely clueless question about such a basic thing like what the budget vote meant was ruled out of order by the chairman… me.
Read a few of the other posts before asking such a simplistic question, please. We can’t be expected to fill in every single newbie who wanders in here. Do a little work yourself.
- On the Floor - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 3:45 pm:
The speaker has released a regular perfunctory schedule starting tomorrow and ending October 31. Allows votes on a vetoe and other issues like capital and RTA.
- Anon - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:03 pm:
Is it just me, or are others losing respect for the entire process of special sessions?
I, like most reasonably clueless persons, would conceive of a special session as an emergency measure, taken so that the legislature can consider a vital matter on an immediate basis. This Governor is now using the proclamations solely as means to set up TV sound bites, so he can take advantage of our ignorance with some cute, well-chosen phrasings that have little or no impact on the reality of Springfield this day.
There is a danger, Governor. When the public finally realizes that your actions are posturing stunts - and they are now in the process of doing just that - your credibility, already shot to pieces in Springfield, will be irreparably damaged across the state with the very people you supposedly are trying to “save.”
When that happens, your Administration will be over, even if your term as Governor continues on.
- Mr. Peabody - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:07 pm:
Could all this overtime work for these stalwarts of uncivil service really be in fact some sort of a Christmas fund or something they are initiating? “Where’s the Beef?”
- Fan of the Game - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:08 pm:
I don’t know that I like the budget that has been passed, but Rep. Madigan is correct, the GA has passed a 12-month budget. There is no need for the members to come in over the weekend to debate a one-month budget.
- Huckleberry - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:15 pm:
Rich got props from Mulligan. Once again, this blog site is the greatest thing since sliced bread - you’ve saved me coutless hours while I’ve been forced to stay in my office and haven’t been able to be at the capitol. I owe you a round.
- capitol view - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:17 pm:
Our legislators badly need a cooling off period from each other. “After the State Fair” is soon enough, assuming that a total veto does not happen immediately. Even if the Governor vetoes out the almost 400 pages of member projects at the end of the bill, this can wait until the Veto Session to address.
Unless there is a total budget veto or an opportunity presents itself to pass a bonds authorization bill (SB 2 as amended) in the Senate, there is no reason for the legislature to be in session in Springfield for at least two weeks if not two months.
- Beerman - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:20 pm:
So I assume the Governor will not be inviting everyone over to the Mansion tonight. LOL
Wow! For the first time Mulligan and I agree on something. Kuddos to you Rich!
- But... - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:22 pm:
It’s nice they are going to pay state employees for coming to work however how is the state going to pay rent, electric, telecommunication, etc. All of those things are needed to support a work force. Without them no one can come to work anyway.
- S. Illinois - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:22 pm:
Methinks Mr. “Testicular Virility” has been vasectomized by a master with the knife. He certainly appears impotent today.
Thanks for all of the great updates Rich!
- 6'2" Yeti - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:24 pm:
Has the budget actually been sent to the Gov yet?
- A Citizen - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:28 pm:
- S. Illinois -
Never try to predict or underestimate the behaviour of the insane.
- MOON - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:30 pm:
If Jones and the Gov. have a seperate deal with regards to the veto, then they will stand and fall together. The senate Dems have had it with Jones leadership (or should I say lack of)
- Ghost - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:41 pm:
Since the gov is not known for putting together a coalition of support in advance of acting, he may not have any agreement with Jones.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:42 pm:
I wonder what happened to Bill this week?
- Little Egypt - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:49 pm:
It’s me Rich. I just escaped to Kentucky for a few days. I think Bill knows when to keep his mouth shut.
- S. Illinois - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:51 pm:
Bill was starting to come around a bit. Maybe he’s too busy talking to Mr. Fitzgerald now.
But seriously…I’ve wondered the same thing. I do hope he is ok.
- Beerman - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:51 pm:
He’s probably doing crowd control out at the fair like Kevin Bacon in Animal House. “Stay calm. All is well!”
- I guess this could happen - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:52 pm:
How about this playbook:
1. Gov receives Budget (12 month)
2. Gov sits on Budget until after the Court order to pay employees expires
3. Gov’s veto (some, all, hit/miss) sent back to GA
4. Timing would be sometime around the first 10 days of September…
Could happen…??
This Blog has been a tremendous source of information for me - thanks for teaching me the in’s and out’s of the GA rules. I did work in State government for over 35 years, have seen alot of things under various leaderships, this one (or lack of) certainly takes the prize.
- bored now - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:53 pm:
rich, are you sure it wasn’t the governor writing and asking the question? he certainly hasn’t shown much evidence that he understands the budget process this year…
- Citrus - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 4:55 pm:
The House deserves a break from traveling to and from the Capitol…the Senate does too. Good for the Speaker!
Rich - Your blog updates have been great. Your passion for what you do is amazing. Thanks!
- sitting and watching it unfold - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 5:01 pm:
would giving the Governor a very watered down version of his health care plan be that bad? I truly believe a lot of this could have been avoided. The senate and house could have done this in May. I blame them for the far to long session and no one else. They passed nothing the Governor wanted what in the world were they waiting for?
- Team Sleep - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 5:02 pm:
Rich, he was busy working overtime in Room 219 at the capitol.
Madigan, to me, has the right to hold Blago’s feet to the fire and drag out his priorities. G-Rod has acted infantile during this entire process; maybe Madigan can reach down into his “conservative republican” bag of tricks and make Rod stay at the mansion a bit longer.
- Nickname - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 5:03 pm:
“If Jones and the Gov. have a seperate deal with regards to the veto, then they will stand and fall together.”
Couldn’t have said it better.
- Skeptical Optimist - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 5:12 pm:
If (when) the Gov. uses his line item veto on numerous items, does the Legislature have to vote to override each individual item separately, or can they override all of them in a single vote?
- Silent Majority - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 5:13 pm:
I’ll bet he uses his amendatory veto big time in the next couple of days. This will force the legislature to come back sooner than it wants to in order to override and/or negotiate for what Blago wants. His health program is not dead yet.
- HelpMeUnderstand - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 5:36 pm:
I’m sure there are a THOUSAND hypotheticals out there as to WHY this budget process is taking so long, but does anyone feel that it possibly some of this stems from campaign promises made this past election cycle?
- steve schnorf - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 5:59 pm:
A reduction veto (6o day budget) would only require a simple majority not to override. A vetoed House bill would come in front of the House first, where it would be overridden, then go the Senate. President Jones would have to either not call it (wear the jacket?) or keep 30 of his members off the override. Neither seems very attractive. My guess is a reduction veto will not be the scenario. I also have been wrong at least 10,000 times before.
- annon - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 7:19 pm:
the gov is rendered powerless in the sense the debate is over, he lost, the ga did what it needed to do and bills will get paid on time. to hold this up any longer is lunacy. so sign it, be happy for what they got and try it again next year. try to patch things up with the leaders too, blago. further delays and needless manuvering spells big political trouble for the gov and those impeachment rumors are already starting to circulate again and if he fails to do so.
- downhereforyears - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 7:42 pm:
I know I keep repeating myself but, HEY ROD, CHECK MATE. What an incompetent boob you’ve turned out to be.
- downhereforyears - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 7:46 pm:
But I must give he speaker equal time as well, HEY MIKE, ” what a surgeon you’ve become” thanks for the lesson, we’ve all enjoyed it. It is now officaly over!
- South of I-80 - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 7:52 pm:
I know that your shut down, but I just want to thank you for your coverage. It’s nice go to a space where the majority of contributors know how the system is suppose to work, even through the ones who are driving the bus have missed placed the keys!!
By the way, that beer sure tasted damn good.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 8:32 pm:
The governor just can’t stop himself. He sent another letter to all state employees this afternoon.
He’s happy to announce the AG and the comptroller
now agree with him that all state employees should be paid. Unbelievable.
- Anonymoose - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 9:10 pm:
Jones is a pretty shrewd legislative leader. I think he realizes he has stood with the Governor long enough, and that is certainly the sentiment of an overwhelming majority of his caucus. He may stay with him on capital, and health care, but I can’t believe will will let a veto override sit in his chamber if the House jams it out with the same or similar vote as they did the original budget.
And remember, employees may get paid, but schools still do not get their checks without a budget (despite the goofy unworkable plan to give them loans through IFA). No budget is bad for schools, and that is what Emil really cares about.
- Thanks Rich - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 10:08 pm:
Coverage has been awesome. As to some of the latest questions, only the pay issue is resolved by the agreed court order. Money for schools, health care services, state’s bills etc, need the appropriations and authorizations in the 12 month budget now passed and sent to the Governor in order for the checks to be issued. This limits Governor’s options, unless he does want to see state government shut down.
- the Other Anonymous - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 10:55 pm:
One thought occurs to me. The Governor’s “Illinois Covered” plan appears to be the source of his brinksmanship on the budget. He has now maneuvered himself (or, perhaps, been maneuvered) into a situation where the only leverage he has is a government shutdown that he himself initiates.
The two institutional interests groups that have stuck with him on Illinois Covered, unions and hospitals, are also among the groups that stand to lose the most in a government shutdown.
In other words, the one lever of power left for the Governor is also the one thing that will alienate his allies. He really can’t pull the trigger, all he can do is threaten to pull the trigger.
And if his threats are continued to be communicated by special sessions that just alienate the members of the GA and unify them, we might just see something like a de facto parliamentary system in this state, with Mike Madigan behind the wheel.
- State Employee - Friday, Aug 10, 07 @ 11:36 pm:
I really hope this thing is over (although I’m not happy with the House Budget because of the Education funds)because I DO NOT want to be on “pins and needles” about my paycheck. Illinois’ issues can be worked out with a little give and take from all involved. I am seriously thinking of going to the private sector for employment because maybe they have more job secuirty than I do! I work very hard for the State or Illinois ansd wish that my slary would reflect my work ethic!!!