Residents in downstate Illinois may not be taking the countdown to doomsday in Chicago as serious as say the smoking ban, but lawmakers have less than three weeks to strike a deal for Mass Transit and no one is happy with how it's going. Lawmakers say everyone should be concerned because of the price tag for taxpayers

Wednesday morning, Governor Rod Blagojevich left for the capitol from Chicago for his nearly 20th call to a record-breaking special session for lawmakers. While Chicago residents want to see the problem resolved without the threatened layoffs and increased fares, the Governor says he's done everything he can without help from lawmakers.

"I don't know if it's shenanigans," said one transit rider. "I'm just wondering what's happening. Nobody seems to be able to tell us why they can't work the deal."

"Whatever I can do to solve these issues by myself, I have done it," said the Governor. "And I've done it twice on the CTA. I'm running out of options."

But lawmakers say if the Governor left for the state capitol, he must have forgot to show up for the special session. Frustration filled the state capital Wednesday night as those intending to make progress on the mass transit and capitol bills essentially made the trip to take attendance. Lawmakers say even with a new year they are dealing with the same old stalemates.

State legislators called the special session business as usual or lack there of. After 14 minutes, Wednesday night's record number special session was adjourned.

"The 19th special session was called to order," said Republican 92nd District Representative Aaron Schock. " We did a prayer, a pledge of allegiance, a roll call, and an adjournment. This is an absolute waste of our time."

To drive from their districts to the capital and back, legislators collect a 125-dollar per diem, regardless of whether anything is accomplished. But they call their attendance a commitment to their constituents. Lawmakers on both sides of the party lines say it's a waste of taxpayer money and a horrible way to start the New Year.

"We were ready to put a lot behind us in '07 and get into '08 and start doing something for the people of Illinois," said Republican 88th District Representative Dan Brady. " We were supposed to talk about the mass transit CTA and RTA issues. That didn't happen."

"It's more of the immature and outrageous behavior by the Governor to call us into special session when there's nothing even to consider," said Republican 73rd District Representative David Leitch.

You said he has a right to call a special session. Do you know where he is?

"No, I don't," said 91st District Democratic Representative Mike Smith. "That's a good question...If I were Governor I would spend time working with legislators one-on-one trying to build relationships instead of pull them apart."

Some state legislators are walking around with these "Wanted" signs for the Governor. With state matters becoming laughing matters, the question is whether the joke in 2008 will be on the voters.

A spokesperson for the Governor issued a statement tonight in response to low attendance at the special session.
He says there are only 18 days until the CTA begins cutting service, raising fares and laying people off.
While the Governor hopes more lawmakers will show up to the special sessions, legislators say they hope there is work to do when they get there.