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* Read the post below and then answer the question: Will the General Assembly avoid an overtime session?

Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments. Thanks.

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posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 28, 12 @ 12:06 pm

Comments

If the votes are there in the Senate on the Cig tax hike and hospital tax exemption bill, I think things snowball downhill from there. Governor gets a budget he doesn’t entirely like…

Comment by Waffle Fries Monday, May 28, 12 @ 12:12 pm
I think the GA will ovoid having to go into overtime but that will not stop Governor Quinn from calling them back into session.

He will likely go off the rails on Wednesday or Thursday because either the pension reform, the non-confirmation of some of his appointees, or something with the budget that displeases him.

Quinn is likely to squander whatever good feelings that he has managed to acquire in recent months by his adult behavior by a return to his more normal childish behavior at some point in the next 3 days.

Comment by Cassiopeia Monday, May 28, 12 @ 12:31 pm
@Cassiopeia - Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. But that’s the way to bet, I guess.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Monday, May 28, 12 @ 12:41 pm
The only major issues left are pension reform and the budget, and since both will presumably be done with votes from both parties, there is no rush to have them done by Thursday. I predict on Thursday afternoon Speaker/President will tell everyone to go home, see their families while negotiations continue, and be ready to return at the call of the chair sometime in June for a one-day session.

Comment by Just Me Monday, May 28, 12 @ 12:44 pm
I predict they are done by Wednesday evening…Skip has his party that night and everybody goes home quite pleased with themselves.

Comment by Raising Kane Monday, May 28, 12 @ 12:47 pm
Lots of things can still derail an “on-time” adjournment. Based on experience I think we get all the big ticket items done on time, but take a day or so to approve “re-election” bills and we adjourn on Saturday, June 2nd.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, May 28, 12 @ 1:19 pm
Yes we will avoid overtime. Billboards & Co blew off Grover…PQ is quiet and mostly out of town so we are down to a few votes —- “some bills will pass some bills won’t” as the late Ken Watson once penned on his way to a Copley check—and we will be out on the Double Nickel headed home.
No summer session. PQ already warned of likely Blagoofian comparison.
Then we sit back and wait for the 8-1-12 launch of video poker.
Sounds like a great summer!

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, May 28, 12 @ 1:22 pm
If the deals.cut have some R support, I think they might get through on time

Comment by titan Monday, May 28, 12 @ 1:54 pm
I bet they go home on time, unless recalled. They will have pretended to do something and will calim victory.

Comment by JustaJoe Monday, May 28, 12 @ 2:13 pm
yes, they will get out on time. but they will think they have it together, only to have it collapse–probably once daily. you can have 99.99% of a deal put together, and someone pipes up w a new demand or objection.

Comment by langhorne Monday, May 28, 12 @ 2:19 pm
Quinn will call them back over the pension reform because this was what he was put on earth to get done.

Comment by Liberty_First Monday, May 28, 12 @ 2:46 pm
Quinn likes the bully pulpit; he’ll say he’s not satisfied.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, May 28, 12 @ 3:10 pm
Madigan may have already gotten at least some of his pension reform. State University Annuitants Assoc. is reporting that the Madigan plan to deny any state group health insurance to retirees or employees who refuse to give up their COLA benefit is the basis for discussion with CMS on how to implement SB1313. Quinn has based his political careeer on transparency and openness. Here, legislators, commentators, etc thought SB1313 was about having retirees pay part of their health insurance cost, but it is really a Trojoan horse diminishing pension benefits and making it harder for state employees to retire before they reach Medicare age. Here is the SUAA discussion: http://www.suaa.org/assets/pdf/SUAAMiniBriefing5.25.12.pdf?PHPSESSID=b1764ae830aa0844ff4dc7a1c3c2f49b

Comment by red eft Monday, May 28, 12 @ 3:27 pm
Yes, I think so, though some minor slippage might occur justifying another day or two later.

I’ve heard of some reps/senators starting to justify abandoning long-held positions to their constituents already this weekend, in the spirit of “getting something done” on the budget and pensions.

Comment by mark walker Monday, May 28, 12 @ 4:13 pm
I say the GA is done on time this year. Of course they will be back in the fall to finish off the pension system as we know it. But they will go home on time for this session.

Comment by DuPage Dave Monday, May 28, 12 @ 4:35 pm
Sure. The public loves the job the Legislature is doing to all state employees and retirees, not just the ones who have *** the system. In fact, the scammers are the only ones who will still be way ahead of the game. Great job Tribune, Finke et al.

Comment by anon Monday, May 28, 12 @ 4:47 pm
The Democrats will not allow the Republicans to have any power over any bills. Those who think otherwise are wishful thinking Republicans. They will be out on the 31st.

Comment by John Parnell Monday, May 28, 12 @ 5:14 pm
I suspect they’ll be out on time (if not, then by week’s end) having approved some manner of pension reform and the House version of the budget. Then we’ll see supplemental budget measures in the fall or January to try to address some of the problems and pain that budget will cause.

Comment by Dr. Teeth Monday, May 28, 12 @ 7:10 pm
I voted no because I believe they just can’t help themselves - but after reading some of the posts above, the Dem leaders may see an election benefit of an early out. That doesn’t mean their work will be done. A summer session, even for one day, is inevitable.

Comment by anon sequitor Monday, May 28, 12 @ 7:30 pm
I voted yes. Things appear to be moving, hopefully Quinn will man up and realize he has to compromise and not go all Blago on the GA.

Comment by Siriusly Monday, May 28, 12 @ 9:02 pm
I couldn’t disagree more with John Parnell, although I agree the session will end on the last day of the month.

The General Assembly will get out by late on the 31st, because the Republicans would be fools to postpone the action and force more of their members to have to vote for substantive bills and the omnibus appropriations bill - more votes than just a few lame ducks seeking board or commission appointments could cast.

The Republicans should end the tough work by May 3st, and let the Dems get all the credit or blame for what gets accomplished.

Comment by Capitol View Monday, May 28, 12 @ 9:46 pm