By Andrea Zelinski

"Members of the state Senate president's own party are denouncing his decision to keep lawmakers out of Springfield.

Democrats, along with some Republicans, are calling for Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, to bring senators back into session this month so they can vote on a bill curbing "pay-to-play" politics.

Some believe the bill will die Friday, Sept. 26, if they don't act. But Jones plans to hold out until November.

"We aren't wasting our breath," said state Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, who led the charge Monday in Chicago. "It's just a matter of all of us keeping the pressure on."

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, one of four statewide officials throwing their support behind the ethics bill, said waiting more than 15 days to vote on the legislation could open the door to a lawsuit from those trying to kill the bill."...