Meeting Planned On Possible Special Legislative Session
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- A meeting is planned for Wednesday between Gov. Pat Quinn and House Speaker Michael Madigan to discuss calling lawmakers back for a special session.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Pat Cassidy reports, if Quinn calls a special legislative session to deal with education funding and human services linked to statewide construction, target"_blank"the Illinois Statehouse News says it would cost taxpayers $50,000 a day.
The figure is based on each lawmaker's per diem and mileage reimbursement.
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The cost could be avoided if lawmakers call for additional regular-session days to avoid the special-session label, the newspaper reported.
Quinn has warned that if action is not taken, all state construction projects will be halted. He says the state's authority to pay for state construction projects expires June 30 because the House and Senate did not agree on funding before they adjourned.
But Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), said while the House is all ready to work with the governor, his claims are overblown. Brown said there is really no need for a work stoppage or possible layoffs, because the General Assembly gave Quinn an extra six months to pay bills in another measure.
