(WGN-AM) - Gov. Pat Quinn has called a special session of the General Assembly for Tuesday to deal with the out-of-whack state budget and several other issues.
"There is still much to be done," Quinn said in a statement. "We must find a way to work together and solve the greatest financial calamity our state has ever confronted."
Lawmakers already were scheduled to be at the Capitol on Tuesday to deal with paperwork mistakes in apporoving the state's major construction program. Now Quinn wants them to address the state budget as well.
"This was done in consultation with the legislative leaders and everyone collaboratively felt a proclamation was the best way to go," Quinn spokesman Bob Reed told the Tribune.
Reed said leaders are aware of the language in Quinn's order, which was needed to set an agenda for issues the governor has said need to be resolved.
"The governor has outlined ever since the end if the session that these would remain priorities for him and that he felt there was still work that needed to be done, particularly on generating new revenue through a fair income tax increase," Reed said.
Legislators left town without approving Quinn's 50 percent increase in the state income tax rate and approved a budget that Quinn estimates is $9.2 billion short. In response, the governor has threatened to cut social services spending.
Quinn's proclamation calling the special session also says lawmakers can deal with ethics reforms, voter recall, the state pension systems, the construction plan.
By calling a special session, lawmakers will now get paid a per diem. That wasn't going to be the case when they were only coming back to Springfield to deal with the paperwork issue.
Quinn's predecessor, the disgraced Rod Blagojevich, often was criticized for calling repeated special sessions to deal with the budget when lawmakers were not close to agreement.
(The Chicago Tribune contributed to this report)
Get the latest news at the top and bottom of every hour on News/Talk 720, WGN
"There is still much to be done," Quinn said in a statement. "We must find a way to work together and solve the greatest financial calamity our state has ever confronted."
Lawmakers already were scheduled to be at the Capitol on Tuesday to deal with paperwork mistakes in apporoving the state's major construction program. Now Quinn wants them to address the state budget as well.
"This was done in consultation with the legislative leaders and everyone collaboratively felt a proclamation was the best way to go," Quinn spokesman Bob Reed told the Tribune.
Reed said leaders are aware of the language in Quinn's order, which was needed to set an agenda for issues the governor has said need to be resolved.
"The governor has outlined ever since the end if the session that these would remain priorities for him and that he felt there was still work that needed to be done, particularly on generating new revenue through a fair income tax increase," Reed said.
Legislators left town without approving Quinn's 50 percent increase in the state income tax rate and approved a budget that Quinn estimates is $9.2 billion short. In response, the governor has threatened to cut social services spending.
Quinn's proclamation calling the special session also says lawmakers can deal with ethics reforms, voter recall, the state pension systems, the construction plan.
By calling a special session, lawmakers will now get paid a per diem. That wasn't going to be the case when they were only coming back to Springfield to deal with the paperwork issue.
Quinn's predecessor, the disgraced Rod Blagojevich, often was criticized for calling repeated special sessions to deal with the budget when lawmakers were not close to agreement.
(The Chicago Tribune contributed to this report)
Get the latest news at the top and bottom of every hour on News/Talk 720, WGN
