Ill. lawmakers ignore special session

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Nearly two-thirds of Illinois legislators skipped a special session ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Saturday.

Blagojevich responded by criticizing the legislature and ordering another special session for Monday -- when lawmakers are already scheduled to meet.

The Democratic governor is locked in an impasse with lawmakers over a new state budget. State government is operating only because officials passed a one-month budget when the new fiscal year began July 1.

But that temporary budget expires Tuesday, and Blagojevich wants lawmakers to pass another one-month extension while budget talks continue.

Legislative leaders, however, are working on a budget for the full year and report that they're making progress. As a result, few lawmakers were interested in Blagojevich's push for a temporary budget.

About one-quarter of state senators showed up for Saturday's session. Less than half of House members made an appearance. Neither chamber devoted even a second of discussion to a temporary budget.

A budget extension would remove the pressure for quick action by lawmakers. That would give Blagojevich more time to build support for his plan to guarantee health insurance for everyone in the state.