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This just in… Governor wants September special sessions * Meeks: Do it * Cook takes another look at Ozinga * Guv won’t march in State Fair parade tonight *

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Illinois

*** * 2:28 pm - I told subscribers about the possibility of September special sessions earlier this week. Today, the governor confirms it himself…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Thursday he wants state lawmakers to return to Springfield every day for three days a week after Labor Day to come up with a better way to fund education.

* 3:05 PM - John Patterson takes us on another trip down memory lane…

One of the biggest fights between Edgar and Madigan came in the mid-1990s when Republicans controlled the Capitol. Edgar and the GOP pushed construction-spending plans. Madigan refused to put votes on the proposals and thereby blocked them.

Question: Who was a loyal Illinois House Democrat in the mid-1990s, voting alongside Madigan to help block hundreds of millions of dollars worth of spending on roads, universities and dilapidated state buildings?

Answer: State Rep. Rod Blagojevich.

*** 4:01 pm *** I just got off the phone with Rev. Sen James Meeks: “September sessions are fine with me.”

Also, Meeks says 2,500 people showed up at a rally today demanding school funding reform and in support of his first day of classes boycott.

Comments

The Governor’s scheduling people need to tell him when the legislative session actually occurs.

Comment by Crystal Clear Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:41 pm
I think if they can come up with a better way to level the playing field then they should go back in session! They got there pay raise now they should raise the money for schools and earn their raise!

Comment by southside Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:44 pm
Will Sen. Meeks lead the parade of legislators to the Capitol every week? He must be giddy with hope and expectations at this news. Emperor, er, Emil Jones must be smiling large, too.

Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:46 pm
It looks like the Governor is calling the House Democrats bluff on the impeachment threats.

Comment by Truth Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:46 pm
Emil has got be loving this. Wonder when he will realize that by hitching himself to the Gov. is as useful as wearing an anchor around his neck?

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:47 pm
He wants them to impeach him at this point. His approval ratings can only go up by playing the victim. Remember Bill Clinton’s mini-rebound after his acquittal? Remember how the Dems actually picked up seats in the next election?

He wants the backlash.

Alternate theory: He knows that his legal problems might be about to get much worse and he’s doing everything and anything he can before he officially goes down in flames.

Seriously, where was he all Spring? What’s with the special sessions? What a jerk.

Comment by Soy Milk - Formerly Known As Napoleon has left the building Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:50 pm
Will Speaker Madigan convene more Committee of the Whole sessions to lay the groundwork for a spring 2009 “revenue” package? Or will it just be Rep. Hannig and the House Clerk coming in to an otherwise empty chamber every day?

Comment by cover Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:52 pm
Public Official A is just wasting taxpayer money on the special session…that instead could go towards funding education.

The guy is losing it

Comment by scoot Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:56 pm
I’d like the Governor to spend atleast one hour a week between now and Labor Day thinking about education funding.

When he has a proposal, then call special session.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:59 pm
I am also begining to think that either the feds dont have enough to get Blago or a deal has been cut to let him stay either way the state is screwed.

Comment by fed up Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 2:59 pm
If the special sessions are officially called, imagine the monkey wrench that they will throw into campaigning, which may be the point.

Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:07 pm
Special sessions would actually hurt the Senate Dems and the House Republicans more because they are defending more incumbent seats.

Madigan is actually defending only a few of his incumbents he’s actually going after more GOP seats. I don’t think the specials will bother him much at all. Of course, Rod is too dense to do the math on that one.

Well played Governor! You’ve screwed Emil and Cross again!

Comment by Soy Milk - Formerly Known As Napoleon has left the building Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:16 pm
Holy textbooks Robin, did he forget about “Rewrite & Start A Fight” already. He is starting to confuse himself with this nonsense

Comment by 2ConfuseCrew Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:19 pm
When will medicaid providers have their day in “court”? With the aggressive veto of the current budget, why is education the only issue being addressed?

Comment by Medman Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:26 pm
2Confuse,

Rewriting 50 bills would be too much work. He would actually have to read them, and then come up with ideas to improve them. He’s got tired after all the work improving the health insurance bill, so he wants to play a different game.

By the way, did anyone else find it strange that the governor has 50 passed bills on his desk awaiting action? What the heck does this man do all day?!?

Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:26 pm
Rich perhaps you are the true governor. Yesterday and today you post about education and viola special sessions in September. Maybe you should run!

Comment by lifer Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:27 pm
It would be interesting to see how much these special sessions cost the State in pay, travel and food. Every dime of that money could be spent on the homesless shelters and substance programs the Gov cut.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:28 pm
I think Blago really risks finding himself painted into a corner on this issue. Let’s say that Meeks uses this opportunity to try to advance SB 2288 (a large increase in income taxes in exchange for a small decrease in property taxes) and, despite this being an election year, he succeeds. Does Blago now veto it after calling special sessions to do exactly this?

Comment by Bluefish Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:42 pm
lifer, you could get banned for comments like that. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:45 pm
Blagoof is in corner already
Cross already has Blagoof wrapped around his neck and even Houdini can’t unravel it.
Anybody checking to see how the Senate is counting days?
Anybody got the May MOUs from Cross, Watson & The President?

Comment by 2ConfuseCrew Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:52 pm
Bluefish,

This could backfire in many major ways for Blago. Special Sessions could allow House Dems to promote education funding reform through a Con-Con. Constant headlines and news articles about the need for a Con-Con to overhaul education funding would not be Blago’s preference. Also, he risks all sorts of bills being passed with veto-proof margins, should Emil ever permit one to reach the Senate floor.

But I expect Blago to be talk and no walk. Remember last summer, when he threatened to call daily special sessions without end? He called them for useless purposes too frequently, but they weren’t daily.

Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:54 pm
A suggested QOD: what nicknames or labels could we attach to Rich if he were the Guv?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:55 pm
Stop.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 3:56 pm
Rich Miller is running for governor?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:01 pm
My suggestion for QOTD would be our favorite (printable) nicknames for the governor we already have. They are getting more creative by the day… some new ones I’ve seen on other blogs this week include Blagoleon (rhymes with Napoleon) and Mad Serbian Dictator.

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:02 pm
Miller is too honest to be governor.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:03 pm
Also, the “I” word is allowed to be considered during special sessions.

Comment by Bluefish Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:05 pm
Heh, what happened? The governor was another loyal cog in a machine all the sudden he thinks he’s a big shot. Where’s the loyalty?

Comment by Levois Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:06 pm
Why would Meeks care about special session. He flys back and forth most days from Chicago like the Gov on a State Plane. And neither of them know where the senate floor is anyway.

Comment by Happy Happy Summer! Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:07 pm
Medman; why would you take the health care Governor to court? He is for health care.

Comment by Truth Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:10 pm
interesting the that General Assembly website shows the Senate in Session next on 8/12 but the House next session date is 11/12

Comment by central illinois Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:10 pm
lifer & Bill, suck-ups.

Comment by Slugo Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:15 pm
I’d support Rich for Governor but I’d need a free subscription to CapFax to stay on top of the race. Otherwise, if Rich does not run and refuses to serve once elected then a senior citizen discount would be nice and appreciated.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:22 pm
No discounts. Ever.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:25 pm
Let’s all grow beards to show our solidarity behind Rich (except the ladies, of course).

Vote Rich for Renewal in 2010!!!

Comment by DeepFriedOnAStick Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:26 pm
Hah! That proves what I have suspected. You ARE a fatcat wealthy republican. No wonder I like you, a virtual role model. No discount. Ever. Wow, talk about being in the driver’s seat.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:29 pm
Rich couldn’t win a governor’s race. He has no comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation’s energy security, get the government’s budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers. Not like John McCain! (Ok. I gagged just typing that. I promise to never do it again.)

Comment by S. Illinois Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:38 pm
===Lifer wrote: Rich perhaps you are the true governor. Yesterday and today you post about education and viola special sessions in September. Maybe you should run!===

Maybe Rich should stop posting…it apparently gives the governor ideas…

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:51 pm
Heh, would Rich be happy as a politician?

Comment by Levois Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:51 pm
Why wait until September? Why not call them in three days next week, and the next, and the next…? What is so special about September? Schools need help right now, don’t they?

I am sure it goes without saying that Rod will be in Springfield everyday the GA is (just like he usually is). With all of them in town three days a week, I am sure they can hammer out a school funding solution sometime before the November elections. November 2012, that is.

Comment by Jaded Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 4:58 pm
Parades suck, period. The worst parade for any politician has to be the Springfield Twilight Parade for Rod Blagojevich. I would put it on par for unpleasantness with the Illinois Nazi parade through Skokie from the Bluse Brothers. Its clear that Springfield doesnt want him. Each year they scream horrible, foul things to him, his wife, and his children.

The last thing I would want to do is walk through a town of government workers who hate me and wave and smile. Tell me that its part of the job and I will tell you that every job comes with sick days. I would call in sick for this waste of time.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 5:29 pm
Hence why I’m voting for Keith Gray to oust Terry Link in my state senate district.

Comment by Samantha Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 5:45 pm
“Pitting Democratic state Sen. Debbie Halvorson against GOP concrete businessman Marty Ozinga, it is also already one of the most expensive and contentious.”

I don’t know how credible Charlie Cook can be considered if he doesn’t even know how many candidates are running in this race. It doesn’t take that much effort to check with the State Board of Elections in order to determine that this is a three-way race, with Jason Wallace running as the Green Party candidate.

Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 5:59 pm
Don’t blame the dislike on the government workers. They just get the first volley from all his wonderful initiatives and the work of trying to get them together. Lots of people in the whole state dislike him, even people from Chicago. The various political blogs around the state are starting to pick up more and more Windy City bloggers.

Comment by Disgusted Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 6:05 pm
“Let’s all grow beards to show our solidarity behind Rich (except the ladies, of course).

Vote Rich for Renewal in 2010!!!”

Rich has a built-in campaign slogan:

“He’s won’t get wealthy as Governor - He’s Already Rich”.

You know, this could happen….

Comment by Judgment Day Is On The Way... Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 6:27 pm
This may sound like a silly question, but since I have only lived in Springfield for 3 years, and only worked for the state about a year and a half (not in an executive agency, thankfully), I really have no personal experience of what things were like before Blago.

Was there any governor that really, truly enjoyed the fair (not just for political schmoozing but actually greeted ordinary people, visited exhibits, etc. outside of a press op) and whom residents actually WANTED to see in the fair parade?

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 7:06 pm
James R. Thompson. Big Jim loved the fair. Or he acted like he loved it.

Comment by Truth Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 7:14 pm
How much state money that could have been used for education was used to build Sen. Meeks house of Hope mega church. How many state grants are associated with his church.

Comment by fed up Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 7:24 pm
We had Big Jim Thompson and Willie Nelson for 14 years at the fair. Also Big Jim always, always took the first ride down the giant slide. Oh yeah man, did he ever enjoy the fair. He was always at the Sale of Champions, among many other events. Most of all, he enjoyed being Governor.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:01 pm
Rich doesn’t dare become governor. His carefully nurtured and trained current and former interns would eat him alive.

Comment by anon Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:20 pm
a couple times during Edgar’s second term I ran into him at the fair just walking around checking things out. There’s a mutt dog show where any old yard dog can win ribbons by performing an obedience routine. Edgar — who has dogs — would check it out and just talk to people there and then he and Brenda and a security guard would wander off to another exhibit or show. That was it. No huge following or circus of aides.
Thompson was known to take visiting officials out to the fairgrounds during nonfair times and let them ride the giant slide.

Comment by Frank Booth Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:20 pm
Interesting responses. I have to remind myself it wasn’t always this bad.
I wonder also if any governor has ever been able to travel freely around Springfield like a real bona fide resident — actually shopping, eating out, going to movies, etc. the same as the locals — without attracting media or public attention?

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:35 pm
When I first moved to Springfield I recognized Edgar at a library book sale, by himself, looking through the books. I can’t imagine our current gov is much of a book reader….

Comment by Millstadt News Guy Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:36 pm
Rich’s campaign Slogan for Governor: “It’s Miller Time!”

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:41 pm
I’m guessing that if Judy had won, I probably would have bumped into her at Goodwill or at a garage sale by now : )

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:49 pm
I really think it’s a shame that Rod could not attend in some way. Grand Review stand? Meet the parade at the front gates and lead it in?

Pattie and the girls should be able to come with their security and enjoy even if away from Rod. The fair this year is Family Tradition. I had no idea people actually yelled at the rest of the family. The wife and kids certainy are not responsible for the govenor’s actions/inactions and to them he’s just hubby and daddy.

If I could spend 10 minutes with the governor, I would not yell, get in his face, throw vegetables or chant for impeachment. I’d merely quietly ask him to help me understand his lack of interest in things like DNR and invite him out to see a day in a state workers life.

Edgar use to come out and ride his bike on a bike trail when he was around the area. Pleasant and friendly gentleman.

Comment by Princeville Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 9:33 pm
Mr. Cook is cautiously incorrect, but Ozinga might as well continue working as though he is the underdog right now.

If you check Halvorson’s web site, you will discover it to be out of date, and poorly updated. That is not what you would expect of her campaign. Ozinga’s is current.

Charlie is also a bigger believer in the DCCC than he ought to be considering this race. Rudominer and his band of outsiders have bungled Debbie’s campaign and runs away from her political associations instead of making them an asset.

Debbie deserves better than she is getting.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 9:43 pm
Just hubby and daddy? Oh my, I can’t stop laughing. I’m picturing Ward Cleaver in that context and Dudley Do-Right just doesn’t fit into that picture.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 9:52 pm
I ran into Mrs. Edgar once in Springfield and she was shopping for stuff. She did have a bodyguard, but was very low key, and very friendly when I said hello.

Thompson, too, haunted some of the antique stores and used bookshops around Springfield.

Comment by anon Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 10:03 pm
If the Gov was is currently working with the legislative leaders regarding the upcoming special session and the revised Capital Bill today. Why was he at GIBSON in Chicago for three hours with Mark C about the CUBs

Comment by Emil Decker Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 11:45 pm