Legislature Returns to Springfield

Our elected officials return to Springfield tomorrow with veiled hopes of meeting their adjournment deadline of May 29th. I doubt that they will meet that deadline. While the state desperately needs a solid and balanced financial plan and a steady hand on the controls at this time of fiscal crisis, it is not likely that such a plan will emerge. The pressure in Springfield will continue to build as our legislators return. They will be inhibited from doing their constitutional duty by Senate President Jones who continues to stand by Governor Blagojevich, even though he has an approval rating of just 13%, on most issues only to be stymied by House Speaker Madigan. This dysfunctional leadership model will prevent any significant progress toward a budget agreement and capital program. In an election year, our legislators are leery of tax increases, additional gambling and other smoke and mirror plans. The Governor, though discredited and beaten by the continuing Rezko trial, continues to exert influence on the process in his own solitary style that creates more division. We are in for a long month of wrangling!