A state power auction in September, where power providers bid to supply electricity to ComEd and Ameren, revealed the state could see rate hikes of as much as 22 percent in the ComEd service area and up to 55 percent downstate.

Senate Republicans point out the situation should have been dealt with last spring, but Senate President Emil Jones, who has supported ComEd in the past, opposed calls to extend the rate freeze.

Thus far Governor Blagojevich has not made any move to call a special session, although he said he would call the session if Madigan can show he has enough votes to pass a rate freeze.

The General Assembly's six-day veto session is scheduled to begin Nov. 14 and conclude Nov. 30.

In other news, the Senate Republican Health Facilities Planning Board Task Force convened in Plainfield Oct. 4 to take a closer look at the process used in determining health facility construction and modification.

Senate Deputy Republican Leader Ed Petka (R-Plainfield) asked State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) to convene the Task Force to discuss a ruling by the Health Facilities Planning Board against a proposal by Edward Hospital in Naperville to open a hospital in Plainfield.

Over 33,000 Plainfield area residents signed a petition in support of a hospital in Plainfield. Nevertheless, four members of a state board voted to reject the proposal. Sen. Petka said the process should be changed to put the burden of proof on the Health Facilities Planning Board to show that the project is not necessary.