It's not over:
Two points: as far as the "plan to get it done," Madigan wants it. Whether he really wants it or whether he's decided his power is being challenged makes no difference: he's decided it's going to happen. And if you know anything about politics in Springfield, you know that when Madigan decides something is going to happen, it does.
And apparently twelve "yes" votes pulled out at the last minute. Those people are going to be getting some heat.
I've heard speculation that someone brought pressure to bear on Madigan -- some even going so far as to suggest a call from the White House. 1) the White House is not going to make that call. 2) Madigan doesn't respond well to authority.
There is one big caveat: candidate petitions have to be filed in December, and there are a number of Democrats, in particular (no one's looking for more support from the Republicans than is already there), would prefer to wait on a vote on this until it's too late for primary challengers to file. That could delay it still further -- although some of them may find themselves facing challenges from the left.
So it's going to be an interesting summer. Let's see if the Illinois pro-gay activists can get their shit together and get this done.
The Illinois same sex marriage bill had its deadline date for approval extended into the summer.
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) acted quietly on Friday night before the House adjourned to extend the bill’s deadline for approval until August 31.
State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) told a packed House chamber on Friday evening that he had to put off a vote on the proposal until November.
However, were Governor Pat Quinn to call lawmakers back to Springfield in the summer for a special session to address pension reform, which also was left without resolution, he could include Senate Bill 10 in a special session proclamation.
If Quinn declines to include marriage equality in any order to lawmakers to return to Springfield, Madigan could call a House special session of his own at the same time to take up the legislation, an insider noted.
“It’s a fascinating move,” said one, long-time lobbyist. “It suggests that there is plan to get it done.”
Two points: as far as the "plan to get it done," Madigan wants it. Whether he really wants it or whether he's decided his power is being challenged makes no difference: he's decided it's going to happen. And if you know anything about politics in Springfield, you know that when Madigan decides something is going to happen, it does.
And apparently twelve "yes" votes pulled out at the last minute. Those people are going to be getting some heat.
I've heard speculation that someone brought pressure to bear on Madigan -- some even going so far as to suggest a call from the White House. 1) the White House is not going to make that call. 2) Madigan doesn't respond well to authority.
There is one big caveat: candidate petitions have to be filed in December, and there are a number of Democrats, in particular (no one's looking for more support from the Republicans than is already there), would prefer to wait on a vote on this until it's too late for primary challengers to file. That could delay it still further -- although some of them may find themselves facing challenges from the left.
So it's going to be an interesting summer. Let's see if the Illinois pro-gay activists can get their shit together and get this done.
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