I heard this on NPR this morning and couldn’t believe it. But here it is in the Chicago Tribune this morning:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich has sued House Speaker Michael Madigan for allegedly concocting a scheme to let lawmakers ignore the governor’s frequent calls for special legislative sessions. In the lawsuit, Blagojevich accused Madigan of acts “aimed at eradicating the governor’s constitutional and statutory powers.”
He is asking a judge to order Madigan to hold special sessions at times and dates of the governor’s choosing.
Blagojevich did not sue Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), his chief legislative ally, even though few senators have shown up for the same weekend sessions.
The Governor suing the House Speaker? Can Illinois get any more dysfunctional?
I suppose it can. When the legislature didn’t pass the budget he wanted, Blagojevich essentially legislated what he wanted via veto and executive order. If the judicial branch gets in his way, will he set himself up as judge, too? This state needs a way of recalling the governor when a governor gets as out of control as this one.
Constitutional convention, anyone?
C.J. – I’m as appalled at this as you. Hard to believe our Guv is spending time and money trying to make political power plays over such meaningless issues. By the way, does this mean that Lisa Madigan will have to prosecute the case against her Dad? If so, I’m guessing it gets tossed pretty quickly!
Blago is trying to deflect public attention from his pitiful record as governor. That being said, we should be grateful for such antics. If this bunch of low-lifes wasn’t so dysfunctional, the state would be in even more serious trouble than it is. Let’s hope they never get their act together, because if they ever do, we won’t like the result.
I’m not sure what ever gave Blago the idea that he could play politics with Mikey Madigan and not get his ass roundly kicked.
Yet downstate Democrats will still vote for this guy, none will admit it but they cast ballots for this joker. It is truly sad when blind allegiance to a political party will have you voting for someone who time and time again acts in direct opposition to your interests.
“Constitutional convention, anyone?”
The Con Con…con. I too am severely dissatisfied with our state government and also with some things about the Illinois Constitution. But there is greater risk of allowing who knows who to make our new state constitution. We have absolutely no idea what we will get in the end. I almost guarantee it will be worse than the one we currently have as the current one is worse than the two state constitutions that came before it.(yes illinios has had three so far) The more licentious groups are poised to spend outrageous amounts of money to get their hand picked delegates elected to push their agenda. It is a HUGE risk to have a Constitutional Convention at this time.
However, we still have a way of effecting changes to the constitution without a convention. The amendment process is still a viable and safer option. Now is the time to put forth an amendemnt that allows for any elected official to be recalled or removed, what with the happenings in Springfield right now. There is time to get it done and in place by the next general election if someone introduces it soon.
Please try to look at the Constitutional Convention issue through the eyes of common sense rather than the eyse of emotion. I’ll leave you with this question: Can we trust MOST Illionis politicians to do the right thing?
Brad, you are absolutely right. And the answer to your question is NO, we can’t trust politicians to do the right thing.