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* Press release from earlier this week…
Lake County Republican Party Chairman Mark Shaw today called on former Democrat State Representative Lauren Beth Gash to resign as Acting Lake County Democrat Party Chairman for her role orchestrating the resignation of disgraced State Senator Terry Link. Link resigned one day after the deadline under Illinois election law that would have permitted Lake County voters, not party bosses, to elect his replacement on November 3, 2020.
“While the rest of the nation was honoring the victims and heroes of 9/11, Terry Link and Lauren Beth Gash presumably were plotting with their fellow Democrats to abuse Illinois State election law loopholes and deny Lake County voters the right to choose our next State Senator, opting instead to let Madigan’s “made men”, not the voters, make that choice,” said Shaw.
“The Federal Prosecutor should investigate as a potential violation of the federal law–Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. Illinois politicians have been playing these slimy games to prevent voters from choosing their elected representatives for far too long. There’s nothing like a flurry of Federal subpoenas to help the Democrats understand the difference between right and wrong,” he continued.
Shaw explained that Terry Link resigned exactly 27 months and 29 days before the end of his term to avoid triggering a special election for the State Senate seat. Had Link resigned a mere 24 hours later, Lake County voters, not Mike Madigan, would have been able to elect his replacement at the November 3, 2020 general election (source: 10 ILCS 5/25-6). Madigan’s, Link’s and Gash’s presumed plot with other local Democrat leaders prevents that.
“The last thing Terry Link needs is more heat from Federal prosecutors,” said Shaw. “Any deal he has in the works to lighten his federal sentence undoubtedly requires him not to commit any new crimes. That means when he is asked if he conspired with Acting Democrat Party Chairman Lauren Beth Gash, Democrat Party Chairman Mike Madigan, and/or Senate President Don Harmon to orchestrate a scheme denying the voters the right to elect his successor, he either answers truthfully or faces additional Federal charges,” said Shaw.
“It also means that the Federal Prosecutor can subpoena all of the discussions, phone calls, emails and/or text messages with Terry Link on this matter by and between him, Madigan, Gash and other Democrats in on this presumed plot. Watch for more forced resignations from the Illinois Democrat Party, the ‘gift that keeps on giving’ for Illinois voters,” concluded Shaw.
The statute says if “the vacancy occurs with more than 28 months remaining in the term” the seat is up for election in the upcoming general, so I think he meant to write “Had Link resigned a mere 24 hours earlier,” but whatever.
* Daily Herald…
Gash described Shaw’s comments as “baseless, wacky and unhinged,” specifically calling the 9/11 reference offensive, untrue and a “desperate attempt to score cheap political points.” […]
Gash insisted Link’s resignation surprised her. She said she found out when a reporter texted her Friday afternoon.
“(I had) no idea it was coming,” said Gash, who became party chair in August when Link quit that post.
Democratic Party leaders wanted Link to withdraw from the Senate earlier in the summer, Gash said, but Link wouldn’t oblige.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 9:37 am
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yep the resignation timeline was simply the best Link could fit in his schedule - just like his guilty plea to Tax Evasion was not related to his official duties.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 9:43 am
“baseless, wacky and unhinged,”
So they are adopting the National GOP platform.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 9:50 am
===resignation timeline was simply the best Link could fit in his schedule===
lol
I’m sure he did it that way on purpose. To claim it’s a federal crime is a bit much, however.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 9:57 am
And the silliness that is Illinois politics rolls on…
Comment by Boomer remover Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:00 am
===To claim it’s a federal crime is a bit much, however.===
And to pretend a Republican wouldn’t do the same thing is ludicrous.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:11 am
The resignation date/timeline, yeah, as I’ve heard lately on things… “it is what it is”.
There should be changes in how we, in Illinois at the state office level, are addressed. I’m not overly angered by the rules as they are, nor am I surprised by this type of move, which has happened before, I’m sure will happen again (manipulating timing)
To Rauner appointee and Raunerite Party leader Shaw?
The 9/11 drop is tasteless.
You can’t claim to be a victim of manipulated political decisions (even if it may be false, and false bravado to the actual language of the alleged move) while honoring actual heroes of our country as an honorable way to engage in your frustration.
Is Shaw also insinuating his …alleged conspirators… are so un-American, why wouldn’t they do such a thing on a day we all honor the fallen and the heroes.
Raunerites will continue to ruin every opening and opportunity to engage in political discussions because they lack decency in framing discussions.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:11 am
“The Federal Prosecutor should investigate as a potential violation of the federal law–Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law.”
This is some high-octane derp.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:12 am
No doubt they did it. Either party acting with indignation is a bit over play.
Only matters if you can beat the replacement in 2 years.
If working with the party to time up a resignation/retirement to best help the party retain the seat, Pritzker will need to release another 4000 just to make room for all the politicians going to jail.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:19 am
Shaw made a fool of himself. As if Republicans in Lake County are competitive within the vacant senate district. Look at the state rep races within Link’s old district, both Democrats are UNOPPOSED in November, including the freshman in the 59th district. And OW right, 9/11 reference was “tasteless”.
Comment by John Lopez Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:21 am
=== Pritzker will need to release…===
Narrator: Link is charged with federal crimes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:24 am
I missed the outrage Mr. Shaw had when Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas resigned earlier this year.
https://capitolfax.com/2020/02/10/supreme-court-justice-bob-thomas-to-retire-and-join-law-firm-that-represented-him-in-defamation-case/
Comment by Live Wire Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:25 am
Even while pleading guilty to federal crimes Terry Link couldn’t do the honorable thing and give voters the opportunity to vote on who replaces him. That says all you need to know about him and the Lake County Democrats.
Comment by JSC Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:26 am
==Even while pleading guilty to federal crimes Terry Link couldn’t do the honorable thing and give voters the opportunity to vote on who replaces him.==
The Republicans didn’t bother to field candidates in either House district there; why assume an election for this seat would be any different?
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:47 am
“If working with the party to time up a resignation/retirement to best help the party retain the seat, … .”
Apparently the Lake County GOP isn’t aware that’s Standard Operating Procedure for the Sangamon County GOP.
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 10:50 am
Does he have a son or other family member they could appoint in his place? That is the usual SOP.
Comment by Nieva Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 11:02 am
Didn’t Matt Murphy resign, then change his resignation date after he found out it would cause a special election?
This enabled the GOP to avoid the special election and appoint Tom Rooney.
But you know Madigan probably orchestrated that as well
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 11:04 am
Meet Illinois Republicans. The best gift humanly possible to Illinois Democrats.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 11:28 am
It’s abut to be blue…all over.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:08 pm
Another good reason (on top of 1,000 others) why our Constitution and law should be changed to fill legislative vacancies by special elections, as in most other states!
Comment by truthtopower Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:21 pm
Not oniy tacky mentioning 9/11, but also stupid thinking waiting one day after the deadline should be a federal offense. Get a clue.
Comment by low level Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 1:17 pm
=== so I think he meant to write “Had Link resigned a mere 24 hours earlier,” but whatever. ===
Probably because he was trying to not type “Democratic” on accident.
Comment by Proud Sucker Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:20 pm
Is this the same Mark Shaw who raffled off assault weapons at a Lake County GOP fundraiser the week after the Vegas massacre?
How much did Shaw raise from that?
Comment by Lake County Friday, Sep 18, 20 @ 8:40 am