Gov. Pat Quinn may supersede the state legislature and create a state health insurance exchange by executive order in order to meet a federal January 1, 2013 deadline. The state-by-state creation of an exchange to provide a navigable health insurance marketplace is a fundamental part of the landmark 2010 national health care reform law. However, only 12 states have created an exchange thus far, with two (New York and Rhode Island) creating one through executive order, and ten through their state legislature.

Crain's reported last week that the legislature would not set-up an exchange in their hectic spring session. One option for Quinn would be to call the legislature into a special summer session.