In the News

Clout Street by the Chicago Tribune, May 29, 2008

The state budget tops the to-do list at the Capitol, where House and Senate Democrats just want to get it done before the midnight Saturday adjournment deadline.

And Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues to beat the drum for a $31 billion statewide construction program for roads, schools, bridges and other public works projects.

But quick passage of both a budget and a construction program is a tall order given the bad blood still lingering from last year’s political stand-off.

Now rank-and-file lawmakers fear something else may be get caught in the aftermath of last year’s breakdown in trust: their pending legislation.

The cause of that concern is illustrated by the dozens of bills with bipartisan support that now are in jeopardy because of a Democratic dispute.

To curb Gov. Rod Blagojevich's executive power, House Speaker Madigan (D-Chicago) routinely attached amendments to legislation that prevents the governor from stretching his rule-making authority the way he did last year by expanding health care without lawmaker approval.

So far, according to Senate Republicans, Madigan has slapped the amendment on at least 176 bills and only a handful of them have been voted on in the Senate. Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) estimates that number may be as little as two or three. The rest have either languished in committee or been returned to the House sans the amendment.

The stalled measures include one to make it harder for teachers charged with wrongdoing to transfer to another school district and another that would inform employers about federal incentives for hiring the disabled.

“It is just unbelievable how all these really good bills are getting caught in this web of animosity between the two chambers,’’ said Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest), sponsor of the hiring measure.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the speaker will not back down, saying his stance is about “protecting the integrity of the rule-making process, which has been threatened by this administration.”

Lamenting the prospects of a session ending without many issues resolved, Rep. Brent Hassert (R-Romeoville) wrapped it up with a thought that might resonate throughout the year.

“Nothing is going to get done this session,” Hassert said. “It’s the session of nothing.”