SPRINGFIELD - In a move that surprised many lawmakers, the Illinois Senate adjourned abruptly Friday afternoon without voting on rolling back electric costs for customers of Ameren and ComEd.

Despite working late into the night Thursday and most of the day Friday, Democratic leaders in the Senate decided not to act on the rollback proposal, saying they simply ran out of time.

Now, lawmakers have to head home to their constituents empty-handed for a two-week spring recess.

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said he couldn't convince Senate leaders to call his rate rollback proposal for a vote.

"As far as I am concerned this is the most important thing since I've been here, in six years," Forby said. "But they said this is their system, this is the way they run it and that's what it is."

State Sen. Dale Risinger spent two weeks traveling the state listening to testimony from people hit with high power bills. He was stunned when Democratic leaders left town without calling Forby's bill for a vote.

"It's a little outrageous that its 2:30 in afternoon on Friday and we're going home because evidently somebody wants to get back to Chicago," said Risinger, R-Peoria.

The House voted to cut rates earlier this month, but the Senate has declined to do the same. Senate President Emil Jones, a powerful Chicago Democrat who can control legislative priorities, has been an outspoken opponent of freezing rates.

"It's disappointing," said state Rep. Bob Flider, a Mount Zion Democrat. "It makes you wonder why they hold off."

Jones has supported utility claims that lower rates would lead to financial disaster for the companies. In fact, both Ameren's and ComEd's credit ratings have been reduced to "junk" status because of the political wrangling over their financial futures.

State Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, has been leading discussions among company officials and lawmakers in order to negotiate a relief package for customers. So far, those talks have been fruitless.

Clayborne says he'll be out of town for at least part of the spring break, so negotiations could be on hold until mid-April.

"I can't say there won't be any meetings," he said. "But obviously, people knew of this break, so people are probably taking vacations as of the next couple weeks."

Lawmakers return to Springfield April 17.

State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said the lack of action leaves lawmakers with no leverage to negotiate lower rates with Ameren and ComEd.

"It's clear now that the utilities won't talk seriously unless they believe a bill is advancing in the Legislature," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said he was shocked the issue wasn't dealt with.

"The lack of leadership here is just incredible. To just delay this for another two weeks and ask people to pay more and more and more?" Watson said. "It's the biggest issue we've got."

Republican senators were quick to blame Jones and Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich for not making the rate rollback a priority.

"This just goes to show you that Emil Jones does not care about the people of this state," said state Sen. John Jones, R-Mt. Vernon. "It's just an absolute crying shame that these games are being played."

Emil Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer said regular Senate procedures prevented the rollback from getting a vote Friday. She said Forby's measure just wasn't at the front of the line.

"Today is no different," she said.

A 10-year freeze on electric rates expired at the beginning of the year, and lawmakers have been fighting with the utility companies - and each other to quell outrage from citizens hit by higher power bills.

Now, it appears that fight will apparently continue.

"I look for negotiations to keep on going," Forby said. "I am all for them."

The legislation is Senate Bill 1592.

Reporters Kurt Erickson and Blackwell Thomas contributed to this report.