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Mitchell pushes constitutional amendment requiring governor to
reside in Springfield
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[August 01, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- With the state's
one-month July budget about to expire, state Rep. Bill Mitchell
introduced a constitutional amendment that would require the
governor to be in Springfield every day that the General Assembly is
in session.
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 House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 27 would put the
issue of the governor's residence before the voters for a binding
vote. The state constitution already requires the governor to
maintain a residence in Springfield. The proposed resolution
provides that, except in emergency situations, the governor must
reside and be present at the seat of government each day that either
or both houses of the General Assembly are in session."We are two
months into an overtime session and are facing a possible government
shutdown," Mitchell said. "The governor said he'd be in Springfield
seven days a week, ready to work with legislators. However, he has
continued to fly back and forth to Chicago for various press
conferences and to attend Cubs games. It's time for him to get
serious."
Mitchell pointed out that this is the General Assembly's second
overtime session in four years. Both have occurred on Blagojevich's
watch. Recent media reports indicated that the governor spent only
eight days in Springfield during the five-month spring regular
session.
In late June, Mitchell introduced
House Bill 4114, which, if a budget is not passed on time, would
ground all airplanes owned or leased by the state of Illinois that
are used to transport the governor and legislative leaders. Mitchell
also co-sponsored
House Resolution 507, which called for the governor to reside in
Springfield during the overtime session and any special session
days.
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 "I feel we need something with teeth that will force the governor
to be in Springfield when the General Assembly is in session,"
Mitchell stated. "A constitutional amendment will accomplish that
goal and will save the taxpayers money, as the governor won't be
flying back and forth to Chicago all the time."
Regarding the budget crisis and potential government shutdown,
Mitchell indicated that the legislative leaders have been meeting
without the governor to reach a final budget agreement. He is
hopeful that a fiscal 2008 budget will be voted on before any
government shutdown occurs.
"I'm cautiously optimistic that we will have a full-year budget
to the governor for his signature by week's end," Mitchell said.
"The House Republicans don't want a government shutdown. We want to
pass a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of Illinois
without placing an undue burden on taxpayers."
[Text from file received from
Rep. Bill
Mitchell]
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