Brady: Governor Abusing Power to Call Special Legislative Sessions

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[November 23, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said Monday he is introducing a constitutional amendment to clamp down on Gov. Rod Blagojevich's abuse of his power to call the Illinois General Assembly into special legislative session.

"This 17th special session ties the record for most special sessions called in one year -- again, 17 in 2004, when Blagojevich was governor. These 34 special sessions now account for half of the 68 special sessions called since the current Illinois Constitution was adopted in 1970," Brady said. "Think about that. Only 34 special sessions were called over a period of 34 years spanning five governors; then, one governor calls 34 special sessions in just two years. This is not a record of which to be proud, to say nothing of the expense involved in repeatedly calling the lawmakers to return to Springfield, often with no votes or other action taken."

Brady's constitutional amendment will more clearly define a governor's power to call special session. The legislation would require a four-day notice and the physical presence of the governor in each chamber on the first day the special session is convened. An emergency special session can be called without the four-day notice, with approval of the four legislative leaders.

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"Governor Blagojevich has called so many special sessions this year and accomplished so little that lawmakers have come to view his actions as a means to pressure and harass them. Many times he was not in the Capitol building when special sessions were convened and might not even have been in the city of Springfield," Brady said. "By requiring the governor to physically convene each special session in each chamber, the governor will have to stand before us and tell us why he has called us to Springfield."

Brady's legislation also states that if a chamber does not pass a bill or resolution responding to the stated purpose of the special session, or act on appointments during 15 consecutive special session days, then the special session is permanently adjourned.

The 1970 Illinois Constitution grants the governor the right to call special sessions "by a proclamation stating the purpose of the session; and only business encompassed by such purpose, together with any impeachments or confirmation of appointments shall be transacted. Special sessions of the General Assembly may also be convened by joint proclamation of the presiding officers of both houses, issued as provided by law."

[Text from file sent on behalf of Sen. Bill Brady by Illinois Senate Republican staff]

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