Gee Rich. Just look at the legislative calendar. It says right there that the last day will be May 29th. How hard is that. I’m planning my life around it.
It will end as soon as our Governor and legislative leaders can put aside their childish attitudes and negotiate, debate, and compromise like mature adults. In other words, it will not end.
anon @ 11:15 beat me to the punch. I was scrambling for my calendar to see when the 96th is sworn in.
I would assume that this session would end about 12:05 a.m. that morning and they’d finally adjourn what will by then probably be a running tally of 43 special sessions.
everything i thought of has already been said. dammit janet.
btw, we were still in session here in illinois at the start of last cycle’s democratic convention. madigan et al didn’t have any apologies for being late (i believe they got there on the third or fourth day). i’d put no stock in the session being completed by the convention — even if the convention is a whole month later…
Ending this session (last session, whatever) will be Gov. Pat Quinn’s first action upon being sworn in after Gov. Blago resigns due to his conviction on mail fraud charges.
Know what, I stand corrected…January 2011 is when the governor leaves office, so it will be January 2011 when the current session ends…and btw, for the first time in state government history a session will run through two different state congresses.
Every General Assembly meets for one continuous session until there is a motion sine die.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 3:27 pm:
I would go with Jan 2009, but Gov Rod might try to hold the old legislature over. Take that Rep. Black and all the others planning to retire! This will require additional offices, etc, but the Gov. will order it, his will be done.
I am going to buck the trend and say before June 1. I don’t think the bad blood between the leaders gets any better between now and then, but Madigan and Jones do not want another lengthy overtime session in an election year.
Also, if Obama is the Democratic choice, he won’t want all that negative attention on his home state and he may intervene (or have surrogates do so) to call a truce until after the election. It would be pretty easy for Republicans to link the Illinois Democratic dysfunction to Obama, and I don’t think the electorate (especially outside of Illinois) is sophisticated enough to realize he doesn’t have much, if anything, to do with it.
So there is my ray of sunshine on this gloomy topic.
I may need to consult Robert’s Rules of Order, the Restatement of the Common Law, and English Common Law. If a body is required by law to go into session before the current session is over, is it possible for it to be in two separate sessions at once?
- Tired of the B.S. - Sunday, Jan 6, 08 @ 11:33 pm:
The Gov and the ICC up to their old tricks again. The Gov “quietly” appointed Sherman Elliott (former Chairman Hurley’s assistant)(see article below from St.Loius Post) While at the same time this administration “quietly reappoints” Erin O’Connell-Diaz…ironically, now she is filling a REPUBLICAN seat on the Commission–back in ‘03 she was appointed to a DEMOCRATIC seat—looks like they are still doing “business as usual”–guess this is another way for the utilities to “control” this administration.
He began working at the agency earlier this week, but the governor’s office made no formal announcement about the appointment. The agency’s web site hadn’t been updated today to reflect the change.
The five-member commission has been in the spotlight for more than a year after ComEd and Ameren raised electric rates after a decade-long freeze.
Elliott, 53, worked at the ICC for 12 years before departing for a private sector utility position in 2004. He takes over for former commissioner Kevin Wright, who left the panel in March.
The governor’s office did not say why it took 10 months to replace Wright.
The appointment must be confirmed by the Illinois Senate.
Rich-Happy New Year. What is going on with the ICC? During the cold , quiet December holidays our Governor “re-upped” the 5 year appointment of utility hack Commissioner Erin O’Connell-Diaz? Is this the Commissioner that you wrote about back in ‘05, who, at that time, the Gov. wanted to “resign” for her “questionable/illegal” dealings with Peoples Gas and Com Ed?(don’t both of these companies have rate cases currently pending at the ICC?) Now she is being reappointed to represent the People of Illinois for another 5 years?? How is she a republican now? Seems like our Gov. is “stacking the Commission”…so that all of his utility contributors will get favorable treatment. So now, the utilities of Illinois are getting their “golden gift” for another five years. Meanwhile, the rate payers are getting “a piece of coal” in the form of higher utility rates.It appears the Gov. was just giving “lip service” to all of the consumer groups in ‘05. when he said he wanted Commissioner O’Connell-Diaz out! Where is Lisa Madigan when we need her???
- Crimefighter - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 10:58 am:
January 2010, after Blagojevich is voted out of office.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:01 am:
I thought we had a perpetual session.
- pickles!! - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:03 am:
Groundhog Day, when the legislature relives it over and over and over again….
- Ghost - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:04 am:
May, when they start the next session.
- Beancounter - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:09 am:
The Twelfth of Never
- Squideshi - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:09 am:
This year’s session is going to end?
- Crimefighter - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:10 am:
BTW, the session that started in 2007 has not ended yet…and probably won’t, thus January 2010.
- GoBearsss - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:12 am:
A clarification requested, Rich.
Are you talking about last year’s session that hasn’t ended? Or this year’s session that will end possibly in 2009 or 2010?
- Been There - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:12 am:
Gee Rich. Just look at the legislative calendar. It says right there that the last day will be May 29th. How hard is that. I’m planning my life around it.
- anon - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:15 am:
This session will end by Noon, January 14, 2009. It has to, because then a new General Assembly is sworn in.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:15 am:
GoBearsss, “this year.”
- Just My Opinion - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:16 am:
We don’t need no stinkin’ ending date.
- BigDog - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:16 am:
It will end as soon as our Governor and legislative leaders can put aside their childish attitudes and negotiate, debate, and compromise like mature adults. In other words, it will not end.
- sine die - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:19 am:
The Democratic National Convention is in Denver starting on July 26,2008. I pick July 15, 2008.
- Enemy of the State - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:38 am:
Maybe three weeks after the peasants revolt. Invest in pitch forks, tar and feathers and ropes.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:45 am:
anon @ 11:15 beat me to the punch. I was scrambling for my calendar to see when the 96th is sworn in.
I would assume that this session would end about 12:05 a.m. that morning and they’d finally adjourn what will by then probably be a running tally of 43 special sessions.
- South of I-80 - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:58 am:
When Rod Sterling can no longer be seen in front of the State Capital, motioning people to come inside.
Or when Patrick Fitzgerald sends G-Rod an invitation!
- bored now - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 11:59 am:
everything i thought of has already been said. dammit janet.
btw, we were still in session here in illinois at the start of last cycle’s democratic convention. madigan et al didn’t have any apologies for being late (i believe they got there on the third or fourth day). i’d put no stock in the session being completed by the convention — even if the convention is a whole month later…
- Wanna Get Away - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 12:20 pm:
Ending this session (last session, whatever) will be Gov. Pat Quinn’s first action upon being sworn in after Gov. Blago resigns due to his conviction on mail fraud charges.
- your legislator - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 12:34 pm:
Session? We’re still in session???
- ArchPundit - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 12:46 pm:
Nothing new here, but I think we have to stop calling it this years session and switch to the current session.
- ArchPundit - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 12:47 pm:
And at that point it’ll end at half past the apocalypse.
- Crimefighter - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 1:00 pm:
Know what, I stand corrected…January 2011 is when the governor leaves office, so it will be January 2011 when the current session ends…and btw, for the first time in state government history a session will run through two different state congresses.
- Dan S. a Voter - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 1:00 pm:
With the current leadership or lack there of I see no end in sight.
- bored now - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 1:05 pm:
if it goes that long, arch, rich will be the wealthiest man in illinois…
- ArchPundit - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 1:07 pm:
Or he’ll be in a mental health treatment facility. If any are open by then
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 1:13 pm:
At least I’ll be able to afford treatment. lol
- jwscott72 - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 1:15 pm:
The second Wednesday of January 2009 at 11:59:30 AM. Thirty seconds later, we’ll have another not-so-special session.
- Jake from Elwood - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 1:22 pm:
FUBARuary
- Lotta Liaison - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 2:49 pm:
Every General Assembly meets for one continuous session until there is a motion sine die.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 3:27 pm:
I would go with Jan 2009, but Gov Rod might try to hold the old legislature over. Take that Rep. Black and all the others planning to retire! This will require additional offices, etc, but the Gov. will order it, his will be done.
- Loop Lady - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 3:32 pm:
the 12th of Never…I think the state is headed toward a constitutional crisis, for real
- Joe T. Elmwood Park - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 3:38 pm:
when is Hannah Montana scheduled for a Chicago concert?
- Say WHAT? - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 4:04 pm:
By session do you mean actual session or pretend sessions called by the Gov?
- Jaded - Friday, Jan 4, 08 @ 4:35 pm:
I am going to buck the trend and say before June 1. I don’t think the bad blood between the leaders gets any better between now and then, but Madigan and Jones do not want another lengthy overtime session in an election year.
Also, if Obama is the Democratic choice, he won’t want all that negative attention on his home state and he may intervene (or have surrogates do so) to call a truce until after the election. It would be pretty easy for Republicans to link the Illinois Democratic dysfunction to Obama, and I don’t think the electorate (especially outside of Illinois) is sophisticated enough to realize he doesn’t have much, if anything, to do with it.
So there is my ray of sunshine on this gloomy topic.
- Squideshi - Saturday, Jan 5, 08 @ 10:32 am:
I may need to consult Robert’s Rules of Order, the Restatement of the Common Law, and English Common Law. If a body is required by law to go into session before the current session is over, is it possible for it to be in two separate sessions at once?
- Tired of the B.S. - Sunday, Jan 6, 08 @ 11:33 pm:
The Gov and the ICC up to their old tricks again. The Gov “quietly” appointed Sherman Elliott (former Chairman Hurley’s assistant)(see article below from St.Loius Post) While at the same time this administration “quietly reappoints” Erin O’Connell-Diaz…ironically, now she is filling a REPUBLICAN seat on the Commission–back in ‘03 she was appointed to a DEMOCRATIC seat—looks like they are still doing “business as usual”–guess this is another way for the utilities to “control” this administration.
He began working at the agency earlier this week, but the governor’s office made no formal announcement about the appointment. The agency’s web site hadn’t been updated today to reflect the change.
The five-member commission has been in the spotlight for more than a year after ComEd and Ameren raised electric rates after a decade-long freeze.
Elliott, 53, worked at the ICC for 12 years before departing for a private sector utility position in 2004. He takes over for former commissioner Kevin Wright, who left the panel in March.
The governor’s office did not say why it took 10 months to replace Wright.
The appointment must be confirmed by the Illinois Senate.
- Justice seeking Rate Payer - Sunday, Jan 6, 08 @ 11:43 pm:
Rich-Happy New Year. What is going on with the ICC? During the cold , quiet December holidays our Governor “re-upped” the 5 year appointment of utility hack Commissioner Erin O’Connell-Diaz? Is this the Commissioner that you wrote about back in ‘05, who, at that time, the Gov. wanted to “resign” for her “questionable/illegal” dealings with Peoples Gas and Com Ed?(don’t both of these companies have rate cases currently pending at the ICC?) Now she is being reappointed to represent the People of Illinois for another 5 years?? How is she a republican now? Seems like our Gov. is “stacking the Commission”…so that all of his utility contributors will get favorable treatment. So now, the utilities of Illinois are getting their “golden gift” for another five years. Meanwhile, the rate payers are getting “a piece of coal” in the form of higher utility rates.It appears the Gov. was just giving “lip service” to all of the consumer groups in ‘05. when he said he wanted Commissioner O’Connell-Diaz out! Where is Lisa Madigan when we need her???