The Illinois General Assembly Democrats have today and tomorrow to come to an agreement on the state budget before the legislative rules change and both chambers are required a three-fifths majority to pass legislation.
Beginning June 1, House Democrats will need a few Republicans to pass the budget. That day House Minority Leader Tom Cross becomes a major player in the process. Up until now, Republicans have had little to say about this year's budget, and it's possible the whole process could start almost back at the beginning -- if nothing's settled within the next 48 hours.
If we go into June, that means another long, hot summer for the legislators. That means Madigan and Jones' recent intraparty feuding detente evaporates and hell breaks loose again. That means more opportunity for bored and frustrated lawmakers to drink too much at Springfield bars and get into other trouble. More time for staffers to be forced stay around town rather than spend their summer bouncing off to neighboring states to help Barack Obama.
That means the governor's situation could be even more awkward as the Rezko trial finishes up, the Auditor General continues to reveal mismanagement of state funds, the Governor's office gets sued by a Gaming Board former chairman for pressuring her to illegally reveal secret information, more and more accounts of pay-to-play begin oozing to the surface, and things get hotter and hotter for Blagojevich. With heat, frustration kicks in easier, and like last summer, the likelihood of impeachment proceeding will rise with each degree outside.
Legislators' families will not be happy missing vacations for the second summer in a row.
That means Republicans get a chance to take advantage of another Springfield legislative embarrassment, if only they have the stomach to do it.
All of this is based on what happens within the next 48 hours. The Senate is scheduled to meet at 11:00 am. Watch the proceedings online here. The House is scheduled for 10:00 am. Watch those proceedings here.
