SPRINGFIELD - House Speaker Michael Madigan wants Gov. Rod Blagojevich to schedule a rare special session this week to pull the plug on looming electric rate hikes.

In a letter sent Monday morning, Madigan urged Blagojevich to move quickly to convene the General Assembly in order to block the state's two main power companies from boosting their bills.

"With the new prices set to take effect on January 1, 2007, we must act quickly to ensure that all affected parties, including utility companies, businesses and most importantly, residential customers, know who will supply the state's electricity and at what prices," Madigan wrote.

The governor's office was reviewing the request.

Madigan's push comes two weeks after the state's largest power companies - ComEd and Ameren - revealed that residential electric rates would jump at least 22 percent when the state's current electric rate freeze ends on Jan. 1.

Most Ameren customers would see their electric rates jump about 40 percent, while customers in Ameren's CILCO territory would see a 55 percent increase in their rates.

The issue has quickly become a major campaign issue, with many lawmakers joining a chorus of consumer groups in calling for an extension of the rate freeze, which was put in place in 1997.

Madigan's daughter, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, is fighting the rate hikes in court. And, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn also is protesting the rate hikes.

But the push for a special session could face resistance from Senate President Emil Jones, who has previously said he wants to let regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission review the issue.

A spokeswoman for Jones had no immediate reaction to Madigan's proposal.

By scheduling a special session before the Nov. 7 election, Madigan would be able to get his Democratic members on record in support of pro-consumer legislation.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said quick action by lawmakers would avert the sticker shock facing most Illinois residents.

"There appears to be a lot of anxiety among consumers. A lot of these people are senior citizens. Why bring that anxiety into their life? If the legislature can take some action and put a hold on this… that makes some sense to do," said Brown.

Power company officials say the rate hikes reflect the actual price of energy after nine years of operating under a rate freeze. Without the increase, Ameren Corp. spokesman Leigh Morris said the company could face severe financial consequences, including bankruptcy.

"There are no winners in a bankruptcy," said Morris. "A continuation of the rate freeze is not the answer."

Not only are special sessions uncommon in Illinois, but officials would have to scramble if one were scheduled to find a place for lawmakers to meet. Both the House and Senate chambers are undergoing extensive renovations and are not useable.

Brown said the House could meet in the historic Old State Capitol, which is about five blocks from the Statehouse. There also are other large areas where members could meet to debate the issue and cast their votes.

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.Erickson@lee.net or 782-1249.