By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Democrats used the break between the two weeks of veto session Wednesday to deride Gov. JB Pritzker as someone who mismanages government while campaigning outside Illinois.

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said Pritzker is “gallivanting” around the state for purposes that include his “Think Big America” pro-choice campaign, when, Rose said, Pritzker ought to “Think Illinois” and get to work on the job he has now.

During the news conference, Rose seemed to lose track of which governor he was hammering, invoking the name “Gov. Blagojevich.”

Senate Minority Leader John Curran echoed those thoughts, and he also voiced displeasure with what he said are the unexpected high costs and lack of transparency in the governor’s plan to grant health insurance to immigrants.

And State Sen. SallyTurner (R-Beason) said snags in the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation are costing her constituents – in the “double digits,” she said – jobs.

The governor’s office suggested the Republicans work with Democrats rather than resort to “cheap political stunts.”

The veto session’s final three days are scheduled for Nov. 7-9.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].