As some of you may or may not know (or care), Illinois government is overdue on a budget. Our wonderful (uhh, yeah) Governor is in an annoying little fight with the representatives, seemingly over everything. As a show of protest, here’s how special sessions (ordered by the Governor) in Springfield went today (courtesy of the Associated Press):
Illinois lawmakers met Saturday in a series of special sessions ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Having no actual business to conduct, they quickly adjourned. Here’s a look at the day’s events:
9:06 a.m. – House special session No. 1 convenes.
9:07 a.m. – Pledge of allegiance.
9:08 a.m. – Roll call for attendance. 53 of 118 present.
9:10 a.m. – Lacking quorum, session No. 1 adjourns.
9:10 a.m. – House special session No. 2 convenes.
9:10 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:11 a.m. – House special session No. 3 convenes.
9:11 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:11 a.m. – House special session No. 4 convenes.
9:11 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:12 a.m. – House special session No. 5 convenes.
9:12 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:12 a.m. – House special session No. 6 convenes.
9:12 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:12 a.m. – House special session No. 7 convenes.
9:13 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:13 a.m. – House special session No. 8 convenes.
9:13 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:13 a.m. – House regular session convenes.
9:13 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:14 a.m. – House members joke about governor using makeup artist.
9:14 a.m. – House business ends.
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9:14 a.m. – Senate regular session convenes. Approximately 24 of 59 senators present.
9:16 a.m. – Pledge of allegiance.
9:17 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:17 a.m. – Senate special session No. 1 convenes.
9:18 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:19 a.m. – Senate special session No. 2 convenes.
9:19 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:20 a.m. – Senate special session No. 3 convenes.
9:20 a.m. – TV station granted permission to film.
9:20 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:21 a.m. – Senate special session No. 4 convenes.
9:21 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:22 a.m. – Senate special session No. 5 convenes.
9:22 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:22 a.m. – Senate special session No. 6 convenes.
9:23 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:24 a.m. – Senate special session No. 7 convenes.
9:24 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:25 a.m. – Senate special session No. 8 convenes.
9:25 a.m. – Session adjourns.
9:26 a.m. – Senate business ends.
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Cost to taxpayers: approximately $12,400 for staff and legislative per diem payments.
Wow, what a wonderful waste of everything.