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* From this morning’s House quorum call…
Notice that both leaders did not respond to the call.
The House has adjourned until tomorrow at 1:30.
* From the Speaker’s office…
The staff continues to assess members’ schedules so we can afford all the supporters of the bipartisan, compromise balanced budget plan the opportunity to vote on the override motion.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Speaker Madigan’s chief of staff just sent this e-mail to House members…
Session is set for Thurs., July 6 at 1:30 pm to consider SB override motions.
In other words, tomorrow could be the big day.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Wednesday:
“The House will hold a vote on Thursday, July 6 to override the governor’s vetoes of the balanced budget sent to him. House Democrats look forward to working with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to begin healing the wounds of the last several years.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:08 am
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I also would like to not be at work on very important days.
Comment by Homer J. Simpson Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:10 am
Rich, would you consider a “question of the day”: “Do you think the House will override the Governor’s vetoes?”
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:12 am
I’m hoping the lack of a quorum is by design because Madigan doesn’t yet have the votes for an override but hopes to soon, at which point we’ll have a quorum.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:12 am
What on earth is wrong with these people?
Comment by Wow Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:13 am
What’s the strategy here? It would seem that this is important enough to be ready to vote on. Is Madigan trying to wrangle votes? (Is rauner intimidating behind the scenes or does he want the budget to save him?) Is Madigan letting people have a regular work day to consider the implications of the state not getting a budget?
Comment by hexagon Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:13 am
Not overly surprised. Friday would be the earliest I’d expect a vote at this point (maybe Thursday but I’m not holding my breath for it).
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:15 am
Where are these people at?
Comment by Real Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:15 am
It is legitimate to wonder if some of the “yes” votes from Sunday have changed their minds.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:16 am
We had all the speeches about the house burning down but we can’t take time out of our lives to get to Springfield to finish the job and vote for the override? Don’t they see how this looks? How it feeds the narrative that they are all out of touch?
Comment by Hoping For Rational Thought Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:17 am
I have a friend who is a state rep and she said they were told yesterday they could go home. This was around 1 pm yesterday. I don’t understand why they would be told to go home knowing the veto and override votes were likely to be soon. It makes the reps look like flakes when they were just doing as told.
Comment by Northern IL Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:19 am
If the message had been sent that the override would happen Thursday, it is not a surprise folks are there today. Now, if they are still having roll call issues this time tomorrow, I think we are screwed.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:19 am
It’s not a surprise they *aren’t* there today.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:21 am
Some might call it a left-handed stall for the bond houses and see if any action occurrs due in large part on the veto.
Some might also say that making everyone sweat it out is keeping the “Brave 15″ within the reality of how important they override.
Some might say waiting only makes legislators more apt to jump off, and I’m not just saying any of the “Brave 15″, Dems included.
Me?
I think a good chunk of it is serving how Rauner is going to spin all this, and come up with a better (any, but I digress… ) response to the “Madigan Tax Hike”
I do find it… ironic… that the Governor’s Office is more concerned, within the governing, with the revenue part.
I guess when you can’t claim a signature for Higher Ed, Social Services, Agency funding, policy funding… What do you actually have besides a Veto?
A veto now “in waiting” for the House.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:22 am
I see 9 of 15 Republicans who voted for SB 9 are in attendance.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:24 am
This seems pretty inexcuasable to me. Even though the Senate was already in session they didn’t all leave town after the initial approval and stayed for the override. Rauner was already saying it was likely to be an immediate override. Are you telling me Madigan can’t get House members back? Sorry but not buying it. If he is dragging this out intentionally then it can get dangerous having the GOP defections go back home and hear it from their constituents? Any chance this is due losing some override votes?
Comment by J IL Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:24 am
The one and only reason for this delay is Madigan doesn’t have the votes. He can’t take the chance, he must know he has the votes or a non override ends his power.
Comment by Trust Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:26 am
To all that keep saying he has no votes. Inhave not heard of anyone saying they will change there votes and most of the republicans that voted yes are in attendance.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:29 am
I’m not saying he doesn’t have the votes…but if he had all House members there with the Senate right after their override would he have had the votes then? If so, why not just do it and get it over with other than playing this out politically?
Comment by J IL Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:32 am
And the bond agencies say? Will be interesting to see if they downgrade today. If they do, will Madigan take his time.
Comment by BBG Watch Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:34 am
And we’ll have to do this all again before school starts because of the need for education based school funding.
The Senate Dems would all vote to override a veto of SB1 and I would think the Speaker could get all 67 for an override, but they’d still need 4 GOP - could they get it, or does the Governor use SB1 as leverage to get at least some kind of property tax freeze, just so he can have at least one accomplishment to run on?
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:37 am
I’m not bothered by this delay; it may even be a good thing. The situation in the IL House is about as fluid as it gets, on both sides of the aisle. Madigan has to assemble 71 override votes (it is 71, right? senior moment) and that won’t be easy. It’s not just trying to hold the 15 GOP votes but also those of Dem reps facing problems in their districts. Durkin will be trying to pry those 15 GOP votes loose. There’s still so much in play yet, who knows what kind of horse-trading is going on?
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:37 am
I meant evidence based school funding.
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:38 am
I don’t think there is anything particularly strategic about the House waiting until tomorrow to consider the override motions. I’ll bet the speed with which the Governor vetoed the budget package surprised them.
Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:39 am
is it 71 House votes to override? or 79?
Comment by Bad at Math Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:39 am
118 × 3/5 = 70.8, so 71 needed for override.
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:41 am
Some Dem Reps on Facebook were saying yesterday, that Thursday will be the day.
Comment by ZC Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:42 am
== What’s the strategy here? ==
Most likely a combination of making Rauner sweat a bit, making sure the votes are there, and maybe even a high stakes behind the scene game to see if he can get a few more GOP votes and protect some of the shaky D seats.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:43 am
Did Rauner extend the days of the special session? If not, is it even legal for the House and Senate to meet? Are they still being paid?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:43 am
I think we are all participating in a lot of overthinking about the one day delay, but it is something to kill time until tomorrow, right?
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:44 am
Durkin’s quit.
Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:47 am
A lot of it too is just the human nature of the members, they left Sunday night or Monday after they voted for the package, they wanted to be at home for the 4th of July and wanted to take care of some personal business that’s been on hold for 2 weeks today before going back.
Maybe that’s selfish, maybe it isn’t. It would have been nice if they had stayed in town for yesterday, but members get cabin fever and want to get home after extended sessions without weekends.
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:48 am
We’ll see if any of the brave 15 gets cold feet.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:48 am
Does the Speaker really want to override the vetos? If there is an override, he’ll give the Governor a win because he’ll get to spend millions on the campaign trail “saying he was against the tax increase,” yet he’ll get the 5 billion of extra revenue he desperately needs to keep the state functional. My bet is that the Speaker will call the override tomorrow and it will fail. He’ll say that he tried to get an override, but there weren’t the votes. He’ll make the Governor live with his decision to veto. I’ll always believe that if the Governor really wanted the tax hike to fail, there would have never been 15 GOP votes crossover. If you noticed, most of the 15 were in very safe GOP districts.
Comment by Southern Guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:51 am
And they set the session at 1:30 instead of 10 or 12 because members want to be able to get in their car or on the train tomorrow morning rather than have to leave tonight.
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:52 am
===My bet is that the Speaker will call the override tomorrow and it will fail===
I’m going to bookmark your comment for tomorrow.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:53 am
Reasons why wait:
1) increases drama (beneficiary = Madigan/Dems)
2) messaging: gives Madigan fresh slate and solitary stage to claim victory…”We’re Saving the State”…impossible to do that in the blitz of votes/vetoes/overrides yesterday, continuing into today’s news cycle. h
Comment by Macombian Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:54 am
Maybe there are some addition agreements being secured prior to the final hammer. Given the heavy criticism (and praise) those 15 received, it’s hard to imagine they’d switch course now. That number is as likely to grow as decrease (not very likely or dramatic either way IMO) at this juncture. Maybe there’s a little meat left on the bone to get an agreement that mutually helps. Maybe.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:55 am
===If you noticed, most of the 15 were in very safe GOP districts.===
If you notice, most were downstate legislators that had a connection with the severe pain of no budgets, like representing universities or even Springfield.
The tax hike is one thing.
The fact Rauner has not signed a single full year budget since taking the oath… to fund higher ed, to fund social services… state agencies, policy plans, initiatives and agenda wants… that should be very worrisome for any governor.
What has Rauner signed to fund?
K-12… once…
Nothing more?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 10:56 am
I sincerely hope Proft completely strikes out if he tries to primary the Republicans who voted for the budget. Then Ken Griffin & Dick Uihlein will realize Proft for what he is and cut the guy off.
Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:01 am
Rich: “I’m going to bookmark your comment for tomorrow”
Are you doing so because you think it farfetched to think it won’t pass?
Comment by Seats Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:04 am
Rich, do you believe there will be an override?
Comment by Southern Guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:04 am
If any of the 15 Republicans back off they will never lose the coward label for the rest of their public life.
These are the times when people really get to show what they are made of.
Comment by Cassiopeia Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:05 am
It’s fun when Rich decides to be inscrutable!
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:08 am
Grand - but in reality Proft is like a money launderer. Unless the ILGOP benefactors are going to find a new “mule” then Proft will continue to get business.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:10 am
Well, Durkin just got another $85K- https://tinyurl.com/y7wm36vq. If his resignation is coming, that’s quite an addition to his warchest. Gotta wonder if there will be more money drops between now and tomorrow, and after the vote. I truly hope most if not all of the 15 stand strong. It’s time to show Rauner this is our Illinois not his.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:10 am
Ts are being crossed, Is are being dotted, and moves are being taken to ensure that every legislator, journalist and CapFax blogger is prepared to see this showdown.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:11 am
==- Southern Guy - Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:04 am:
Rich, do you believe there will be an override?==
No, dude. He just needs a night to consult the tooth fairy about your observation. Tomorrow is just about memorializing your deep thoughts.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:11 am
Honestly, I just think people needed to do laundry. The House had been in non-stop for two weeks, the Senate had a bit lighter schedule but the House was always there, even when they weren’t on the floor there were committees or negotiations. It seems like they unofficially gave them a two day break and told them to be back Thursday.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:19 am
Thinking aloud: override is called and fails. If Gov is backchanneling override for the revenue, GOP needs new votes on override from the pool of 35 original no’s.
If a true veto without backchannel, Speaker takes dems off, lets fail, ties bow around it and immediately asks “Gov Junk” why veto caused junk bond status, school closure, etc. Increased borrowing costs drive a demand for rate above 5% due to “Governor Veto” Local GOP’s own their vote within district + the consequences of the veto, which puts immeasureable local pressure on downstate GOP yes votea in next 60 days.
Or not…
Comment by Midstate Indy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:20 am
The Captain is, I believe, closest to the right answer.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:27 am
A lot of wacky conjecture going on in this blog. The vote will be called tomorrow. All 15 Republicans who voted for the budget and tax increases will vote to override. I mean, why wouldn’t they since they already voted for it once and it can be used against them anyway? The Democrats who voted for the budget will vote for the override. The override will happen.
Comment by phocion Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:28 am
==Honestly, I just think people needed to do laundry.==
You may be onto something… some members were wearing blue jeans on the House floor this morning.
Comment by weary Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:33 am
The constitution gives the House two weeks to take action. The bond houses may not be so generous. But in the interim, everyone should think verycarefully about what kind of state they want Illinois to be. We are on a verge.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:35 am
We have to end this very soon. Rauner can’t be trusted, after his shenanigans and pulling votes off of the Grand Bargain. Here’s hoping that the Brave 15 will hold strong, and that Madigan will be able to cobble something together to patch up any breaches.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:43 am
Speaker Madigan: There are negotiations being made that are going to answer all of your questions and solve all of your problems. That’s all I can tell you right now. Lou Lang, you grew up in Illinois. When we make our move you’re going to be my right hand man. John is no longer Consigliari. He’s going to be our lawyer in Vegas. That’s no reflection on John it’s just the way I want it. Besides, if I ever need help who’s a better Consigliari than my daughter. That’s it.
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:47 am
==If any of the 15 Republicans back off they will never lose the coward label for the rest of their public life.==
Yeah, but if you’re already going to be branded a tax-hiker for life…
==Honestly, I just think people needed to do laundry.==
Seems the most likely. 6 of the 15 Republicans who voted “Yes” are among the absent. Doesn’t seem like either Madigan or Rauner can completely pull their strings.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 11:51 am
= = I think people just needed to do laundry = =
In all due respect Captain, I have to disagree. I believe the Speaker wants his GOP colleagues who voted for the increase to go home to their districts and listen to the angry voters who don’t want the increase. Maybe I’m looking at it from a political lense, but I see no way the Speaker gives the Gov an easy political victory. Again, I think the Speaker will make the Gov suffer the consequences of the veto. We all know there has to be more revenue, but we also know that there’s an election in less than a 17 months away.
Comment by Southern Guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 12:08 pm
I think I know the answer to this, but I’m going to ask it anyway (at the risk of embarrassing myself): Since the Governor used his total veto power and the veto was overridden, he cannot now use his line item veto power to reduce spending, can he?
I think he can still has the power to under-spend various lines, but the veto card can’t be played again, can it? In other words, he can’t now use his line-item veto to make any changes, right?
I have a feeling that Governor Rauner is not finished playing and we are likely to see him use extraordinary powers to continue his disruption of state government.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 12:12 pm
==I believe the Speaker wants his GOP colleagues who voted for the increase to go home to their districts and listen to the angry voters who don’t want the increase.==
And he controls their presence/absence…how?
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 12:12 pm
===I think he can still has the power to under-spend various lines===
Yep. He always has that power unless under some sort of federal order.
===but the veto card can’t be played again, can it?===
It cannot. What’s done is done. There is no do-overs on vetoes.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 12:29 pm
Arsenal, I’m not understanding your question.
Comment by Southern Guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Thanks Rich.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 12:52 pm
==Arsenal, I’m not understanding your question.==
Madigan may not *want* the pro-budget Republicans to show up for a quorum call, but how does he make that happen? They’re not in his caucus, they don’t rely on his money, their politics are actually better if they *defy* him more.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 1:05 pm
Arsenal is correct. The conspiracy theories are getting a bit much. Stop it.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 1:09 pm
“The conspiracy theories are getting a bit much.”
“My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.”
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 1:26 pm
Arsenal is correct. The conspiracy theories are getting a bit much. Stop it.
Mongo only pawn in game of life.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 1:30 pm
I wonder what back drop, quiet, out of the way rest stop, if we have any left, is there a line of GOPs waiting to get their pay, (donation) from BVR to not vote in favor of….
Comment by Living it daily Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 1:38 pm
===we are likely to see him use extraordinary powers to continue his disruption of state government.===
The governor has extraordinary powers? Never would’ve guessed that based on his victimhood statements.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Arsenal, I’m not saying that he can control how they vote. What I’m saying is the longer they put the vote off, the more presure they receive from constituents and conservative interest groups. They only need two votes to flip to sustain the veto. If the Gov really wants the veto sustain, he’ll do everything he can to flip those votes.
Comment by Southern Guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:19 pm
==hat I’m saying is the longer they put the vote off, the more presure they receive from constituents and conservative interest groups. They only need two votes to flip to sustain the veto. If the Gov really wants the veto sustain, he’ll do everything he can to flip those votes.==
That’s certainly true, but that doesn’t make the one day delay a tactical move on Madigan’s part.
They called a quorum, 6 of the 15 pro-budget Republicans didn’t answer. It seems unlikely to me that he compelled their absence.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:30 pm
Arsenal, do you think there will be a successful override?
Comment by Southern Guy Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 2:46 pm
“People just needed to laundry . . .”
Barbara Flynn Currie could always wear her Uncle Sam outfit. She didn’t yesterday, because she (and Kwame Raoul) missed the Hyde Park 4th of July parade for the first time I can remember.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:00 pm
I wonder how many representatives Rauner has purchased off the veto bill.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:15 pm
Raising IL income tax to 4.9 will still be lower than the income tax paid in our neighboring states. It is time for IL Reps to do their job by saving IL.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jul 5, 17 @ 7:21 pm