Court: Governor can call special sessions

SPRINGFIELD -- A Sangamon County judge has ruled Illinois' governor has the power to set both the date and time of special sessions.

However, in a three-page ruling Wednesday, Judge Leo Zappa said reasonableness and cooperation must be used in calling special sessions. He added the ruling was not intended to give either Gov. Rod Blagojevich or House Speaker Michael Madigan an advantage.

Blagojevich sued Madigan last year when the speaker refused to hold special sessions on both the date and exact time set by the governor in order to formulate a budget.

In his opinion, Zappa said the Constitution's framers could not envision the power to call special sessions would be used in an abusive and capricious fashion.

Blagojevich spokesman Brian Williamsen said the governor's office is pleased with the court's ruling. Madigan spokesman Steve Brown called the lawsuit a waste of money.