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* Press release…
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Thursday:
“While reading Sidney Blumenthal’s book ‘All the Powers of Earth’ concerning the pre-Civil War period a few months ago, I learned of Stephen Douglas’ disturbing past as a Mississippi slave owner and his abhorrent words toward people of color. I advised my staff to research and confirm the history to support removing the Douglas portrait from the House chamber. I became more resolute in my decision to remove the Douglas portrait as we witnessed the tragic killing of George Floyd and the bravery of so many who have stood up and spoken out against injustice that has never been fully addressed.
“So today, I am taking the first important step of removing this unnecessary reminder of our country’s painful past. When the Illinois House returns in the fall, I will offer a resolution to be voted on by the House to authorize removal of the Douglas portrait and be replaced with a portrait of President Barack Obama, a more fitting representation of the modern-day Democratic Party. In the meantime, I am looking into ways the portrait can be covered immediately.
“Memorializing people and a time that allowed slavery and fostered bigotry and oppression has no place in the Illinois House, where the work of all Illinoisans is conducted. We can only move forward in creating a more just world when these symbols of hate are removed from our everyday lives.
“I am calling for the removal of the Douglas and Pierre Menard statues from the Capitol grounds, as well as moving the statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. to a location of more prominence and honor. I ask that the Office of the Architect move expeditiously on this matter to take a vote in the coming days to remove these statues. Further, I am asking the Office and its board to work with all Illinoisans to conduct a thorough review of all statues, portraits and symbols on the Capitol grounds to ensure any inappropriate fixtures are removed and all feel welcome.
“Of course, removing these images does not erase our history, but it is one more step in acknowledging the suffering of so many and committing to creating a better Illinois for everyone.”
*** UPDATE *** Senate President Don Harmon…
Stephen Douglas’ role in Illinois history does not warrant commemoration today with a statue on the statehouse grounds.
I believe it’s a good time to review exactly who’s being honored and why in both the Capitol Building and on the surrounding grounds, and then make some changes.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:55 pm
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I always though it odd that Douglas’ statue was in such a prominent place in front of the Capitol.
Comment by fs Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:00 pm
But wait, Mr. Speaker. Our President just recently hitched his political star on The Little Giant in trying to bring back Popular Sovereignty! That’s right let the state’s and territory’s decide how to deal with the pandemic (except school openings). What could possibly go wrong?
Comment by Nitemayor Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:05 pm
I thought Douglas’s only point in existing in history was to be a foil to Lincoln.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:07 pm
It’ll be fun watching certain members blow a gasket about this when session returns…
I wonder if the Illinois State Museum will take the portraits/statues…or maybe even the ALPLM might take the portrait to spotlight the rivalry between Lincoln/Douglas?
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:10 pm
I guess he didn’t swing by Freeport, Ottawa or Charleston when C-SPAN did the reenactments….
He wouldn’t have needed anybody to research Douglas’s words if he had.
Comment by Fav human Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:15 pm
===It’ll be fun watching certain members blow a gasket about this when session returns…===
Especially if it’s Republicans defending a pro-slavery Democrat.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:21 pm
Can someone also get this message to the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District? Residents have been petitioning the Park District for over a year to get Douglas Park, also named after Steven Douglas, renamed to Frederick Douglass Park. For those who are unfamiliar, it is located in the predominately-black Lawndale neighborhood on the City’s west side. In a community that is almost 90% black, this should not even be a question.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/06/stephen-douglas-park-is-now-frederick-douglass-park-thanks-a-rogue-painter-who-changed-the-signs/
Comment by Chicago Let's Go Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:21 pm
Fav human … and let’s not dig into those Charleston debate transcripts too closely, or we might find that Douglas wasn’t the only one in that campaign who expressed “abhorrent words toward people of color.”
For what it’s worth, Douglas was pro-Union. He had a fundamentally different view than Lincoln about how to preserve the Union, but he wasn’t a traitor. He warned of the dangers of secession, and after Lincoln won, he worked incredibly hard to try to keep southern states from seceding.
Take down his portrait in favor of Obama’s, fine, but if we’re using “abhorrent words” as the criteria, we might not like the logical precedent that sets.
Comment by natty lite Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:27 pm
Apparently my suggestion of putting up a sign that x days since the last indictment was rejected as a replacement.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:27 pm
The location is only one issue with the MLK statue. It’s a bad representation of the man. If it’s going to be in a more prominent place, it’s going to need to be a better statue.
Comment by Universal DH Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:30 pm
Wow. MLK statue started looking out over the parking lot, and has already been moved. Moving it again? The first move was indeed warranted for KIng. Removing Douglas from our state narrative is troubling. There are debate sites, the tomb, etc., and he did support the Union at the expense of his health at the beginning of the Civil War.
Comment by Top of the State Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:30 pm
===Removing Douglas from our state narrative is troubling===
That is such a nonsense argument.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:31 pm
Real History can be troubling…that’s why much of it isn’t real.
Comment by Dotnoymous Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:37 pm
The historical legacy of both of these men is complicated. I’d like to have a little more discussion about what constitutes the criteria for removal. Is owning slaves sufficiently disqualifying, despite any other accomplishments or works in life?
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:41 pm
===Removing Douglas from our state narrative…===
Is that you Eliza Hamilton?
Ok, to the post;
If “we’re” questioning the historical significance between Douglas or Obama, there is no discussion to significance, a former president will win that, always.
This idea of a “concern“ of removal is nonsense as well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:48 pm
You cannot rewrite history. Removal of any statue does not correct past practices or remove that practice from the history books.
Comment by Just Curious Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:52 pm
=== You cannot rewrite history. Removal of any statue does not correct past practices or remove that practice from the history books.===
… but it stops honoring those who don’t deserve that recognition.
Like traitors… for example.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:53 pm
If Madigan wants it out of the House, I suspect he’ll get it out of the House. Call the question.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:56 pm
Sounds like a good move for the reasons the Speaker stated. It should be noted that in order for the MLK, Jr. statue to be moved to the State Capitol grounds, Section 800.20 of Title 3 of the Illinois Administrative Code would need to be changed since it requires “monuments, memorials or statues [to be] associated with the State of Illinois”, which is the reason that statue was placed off the grounds in the first place.
Comment by Simply Sayin' Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:56 pm
OW: staying on topic here, Stephen Douglas was not a traitor. He did a lot of great things for the United States. He also owned slaves. To my knowledge there are no monuments to traitors on state land in Illinois. (There are some confederate monuments in federal cemeteries and the very controversial one at Oak Woods.)
Comment by natty lite Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:01 pm
(Sigh)
No…
=== Stephen Douglas was not a traitor.===
Read what I write, exactly as I write it.
=== Like traitors… for example.===
Citing that honoring traitors should stop. I made no reference to Douglas.
I already stated… clearly… my thoughts.
=== If “we’re” questioning the historical significance between Douglas or Obama, there is no discussion to significance, a former president will win that, always.===
The end.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:03 pm
I find it terribly disturbing that a man of his education and political savvy just found this out about Douglas. Is he shocked about the history of the Democratic party up to about 1968?
And this: Of course, removing these images does not erase our history. I sure as heck hope not.
Maybe we should rethink what is actually taught as history in our schools. The real history
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:04 pm
… but it stops honoring those who don’t deserve that recognition
I think perspective matters. I see those statues as a reminder of the obstacles this country has fought to overcome. Sadly, we have some dark chapters in our nations history. We can honor those who helped overcome these obstacles, and let the others stand as a reminder of a place we never want to go again. One man’s opinion.
Comment by Birds on the Bat Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:06 pm
===…and let the others stand…===
With respect, to your opinion.
Read the room.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:08 pm
Time to start honoring contemporary heros and sheros with public monuments. Steven Douglas has had his century and then some. The Douglas statue should be placed in a museum type of setting with explanations of his times and his actions.
Comment by Froganon Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:09 pm
OW, I’m curious, since you rightly don’t include Stephen Douglas in your post about traitors, how do you feel about Speaker Madigan calling for removing Douglas’s statue from the Capitol grounds? Swapping out the portraits in the House makes total sense, but why remove the Douglas statue too?
Comment by natty lite Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:22 pm
===…how do you feel about Speaker Madigan calling for removing Douglas’s statue from the Capitol grounds? Swapping out the portraits in the House makes total sense, but why remove the Douglas statue too?===
Even in the US Capitol, statues are rotated out as states see fit.
My take in the statue is NO different than the US Capitol / States and the swapping out statues as states deem.
I stand by the rest of my previous thoughts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:27 pm
The Speaker is getting this right. The statue of Menard standing over the Native American is particularly cringe worthy. As far as Douglas is concerned, his role in the state’s history is appropriately depicted by the way his statue in the rotunda is sort-of “squaring off“ with the nearby statue of Lincoln. I say keep that, but the portrait in the House chamber and a second statue near the east exterior steps are a bit too much tribute for a figure whose history is as decidedly mixed as Douglas’s.
Comment by BC Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:29 pm
Read the room.
I don’t need to read the room. I can think for myself.
Comment by Birds on the Bat Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:43 pm
=== I don’t need to read the room. I can think for myself.===
Good luck.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:44 pm
===It should be noted that in order for the MLK, Jr. statue to be moved to the State Capitol grounds, Section 800.20 of Title 3 of the Illinois Administrative Code would need to be changed since it requires “monuments, memorials or statues [to be] associated with the State of Illinois”, which is the reason that statue was placed off the grounds in the first place.===
I’m going to have to disagree. The statue was originally outside of the Illinois State Museum but petitions for more appropriate placement surfaced in 1993. The statue was moved May 1993. Conveniently, the rule was put in place April 13, 1993….
Comment by Mjolnir Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:44 pm
===today===
Reading the room…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 5:09 pm
Just have statues of Lincoln and Grant and be done with it.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 5:11 pm
This is kind of off topic, but I love the Everett Dirksen statue on the Capitol Building lawn. The elephant and donkey shaking hands behind it is particularly funny. Can we replace Stephen Douglas with another Everett Dirksen statue?
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 5:12 pm
These things belong in a “Museum of Archaic Monuments.” The museum could focus on the concept of why monuments in general become inappropriate, and examining how and why these specific statues, portraits, and other publicly presented works of art were created for prominent geographic locations, and why they were removed.
Comment by RIJ Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 5:32 pm
About time..
Comment by A Guy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 6:20 pm
I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone has any issue removing statues, paintings, or any other monuments that honor terrible men.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 8:26 pm
==lot of great things for the United States==
Yeah, that Kansas-Nebraska Act was a real hit, wasn’t it?
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:54 pm
Illinois should implement Year Zero. Everything that is past should fall into the Memory Hole.
Comment by chickamauga Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:20 pm
And yet the Democrat party still has Jefferson-Jackson dinners much like the Republicans have Lincoln Day dinners. Not every county but several including one served by a Democrat Senator just south of the Capitol.
Comment by 4 percent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:34 pm
Is Madigan going to renounce being a democrat? The democratic party in the 1800s was a pro state rights pro slavery party that later went on to support the KKK.
Comment by sam hall Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:52 pm
I actually think the MLK statue is in a good spot. We all see the Lincoln statue while driving but most of the others we just zip by. The MLK one you get a chance to observe it while in your car at the stop light. I had a hard time remembering where the others mentioned here are at.
Comment by Been There Friday, Jul 10, 20 @ 12:01 am
Keep up, Sam. That wing of the party left for the Republicans 50 years ago.
Comment by Jibba Friday, Jul 10, 20 @ 7:06 am
The recommendation of moving MLK Jr statue to a place of greater prominence is a welcomed idea, but may we take this one step further. Several years ago Jesse White commented, essentially, that the current statue did not reflect the full dignity of King and his legacy.
A better way of honoring Dr. King may be to commission a more statesman-like statue in the Capitol complex, and dedicate the “activist” King image to a location where his early days of leading peaceful the movement for justice and equality will serve as inspiration to a new generation of peaceful activism.
Comment by Observing Friday, Jul 10, 20 @ 7:08 am
Better late than never, Mr. Speaker.
Comment by anon2 Friday, Jul 10, 20 @ 1:43 pm