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* Not one person has said this to me…
There’s a fantasy popular in certain Illinois Democratic circles that goes something like this:
Democratic legislative candidates wipe out suburban Republicans in the November election, allowing House Speaker Michael Madigan to expand on his party’s overwhelming majority.
Flush with his latest success, the nation’s longest-serving House speaker cites the election results as a repudiation of his critics, declares he’s done all he can for Illinois and calls it quits after 50 years as a state representative — to spend more time with his grandchildren.
Then, those engaged in this fantasy snap out of it and remember this is Mike Madigan, who gives up nothing without a fight, never voluntarily cedes power and ain’t going nowhere yet.
* And while this piece is a profile of Senate candidates, judging by my conversations over the past several days, the same can be said for House members as well…
Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?
Sen. Rob Martwick: I hear many concerns from my constituents. People are worried about civil unrest, violence and creating a more just system of criminal justice. They are very concerned that the state ensures a smooth and stable, yet robust recovery from the pandemic that allows the middle class to thrive, but protects society from potential future outbreaks. Although, I come from a solidly middle class district and my constituents are a strong willed and hard working bunch and their greatest priority for me continues to be that every level of government work to provide opportunities to them and their families, and fix our financial problems.
Sen. Cellina Villanueva: Since March the #1 issue I have heard most from constituents is the IDES/Unemployment system in the state. My team and I have spent countless hours working to get every case that comes our way in front of the staff at IDES so that people can get their benefits and have one less thing to worry about during this pandemic. I do not believe there is ever going to be just one priority for lawmakers because this pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of our lives. Dealing with the current effects and aftermath of COVID is going to have to be one of many of our top priorities as lawmakers. COVID has impacted jobs, small business, education, higher education, food accessibility, housing, and other social needs. Everything has been impacted and we have to focus on helping people in as many ways as possible.
Rep. Karina Villa: The primary issues in my house district when I first ran were property taxes, education funding and affordable healthcare. From a baseline perspective, that hasn’t changed but the economic reality of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic has forced unanticipated priority adjustments. My work with the manufacturing facilities in my district regarding essential worker safety is an example of an unexpected adjustment. It is also imperative that we must work diligently to protect our students, teachers and staff as we reopen schools, and do what we can to support our small businesses. The 2020 census success will be critical in obtaining the federal funding we will need to support these efforts.
Sen. Patrick Joyce: Lowering property taxes.
People are desperately trying to just get by during extremely difficult times.
* WBEZ…
WBEZ has been asking you what you want Illinois politicians to be talking about heading into November’s elections — and beyond. Our goal: Cover government and politics based on the issues that matter most to constituents, rather than covering politics like a game of thrones. […]
More than anything, you told us you want answers about how government officials are responding to the pandemic – both from the economic and public health perspectives. You also wanted them to address the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on Black and Latino communities. About half of the responses dealing with COVID-19 had to do with how officials plan to keep the virus from spreading, especially among vulnerable populations like frontline workers. […]
You told us you want to feel safe in your neighborhoods from violence in all of its forms – including robberies, gang violence, and harassment from police. […]
The right to a quality education was top-of-mind for many of you. In particular, people wanted to hear their officials talking about ways to distribute school funding resources and educational opportunities equitably, from childcare to remote learning resources to affordable higher education. […]
You also told us you wanted to hear how elected and government officials plan to address the unequal investment in neighborhoods and areas around Chicagoland – particularly, through the lens of racial equity. […]
Even as the pandemic remains a major healthcare concern, we heard from many people worried about the cost and availability of healthcare beyond the pandemic.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:01 pm
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I genuinely like this post.
To it,
The Raunerites are convinced, wholly convinced, making this cycle about Madigan will help them
Dems seem to think their own in-fighting on policy, politics, power is what voters are “telling” them as they look at and through each other to beyond November.
I’ve disagreed with both.
People are scared.
Am I going to have an apartment or a house next month? What if a family member gets sick. What if i lose my health insurance with my job. I’m frightened if my child goes, or doesn’t go to school, equally. Every two weeks I wonder if it’s my last check. Every month I wonder if my business can stay afloat.
My student away at school, are they safe. Will social justice finally be addressed. Will systemic and institutional racism effect me or someone I know.
Will I have enough money to get gas in my car to work. How can I do sales when my clients don’t do zoom or are already closed down. Why won’t people wear masks.
Now you want to tell me about Madigan saving the Raunerites?
Now you want to discuss with me Dem party shuffling?
Now? You want to do that… now?
That’s what civilians seemingly say, who the heck is missing their pleas?
When the Raunerites learn that they need to see times like this in the eyes of real people, they will start to come back, and I hope I’ll see it to be there.
This election is about people. This election is about society, it’s norms and needed changes. This election is about survival at any level you’d like to discuss.
We’re less that 30 days out. Which candidates know… it’s about people… not about partisan.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:32 pm
1.Make the upper 4% pay incomes taxes.
2.We need more decent paying jobs.
3.Faster testing results for COVID-19. Keep people informed about COVID-19 vaccines, etc.
4.Do something about the home-less issues. Why can’t the home-less be housed in empty buildings like old grocery stores, etc.?
5.Prison reform is greatly needed. Real rehab for drug addicts, medicines for prisoners with mental health problems, etc.
Comment by M Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:35 pm
But…Madigan.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 2:57 pm
All politics is local. Putting a roof over your head, figuring out what to do with the kids, staying safe are local. Madigan…not so much.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:01 pm
From the contents of my mailbox, Rodney Davis’ top concern is making sure Madigan doesn’t get elected to the 13th district.
Comment by don the legend Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:06 pm
The point, to me, is honest, efficient government.
I know it sounds impossible in Illinois, but addressing the state’s problems would go much better if we had that.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:35 pm
The vast majority of voters or for that matter citizens of Illinois have no idea who Mike Madigan is or Darren Bailey is for that matter. They just want to get thru all of this. Making it about either one won’t get people very far.
Comment by Publius Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:49 pm
I must not travel in “certain Illinois Democratic circles” ’cause I’ve never heard of that allegedly popular Madigan fantasy.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 3:55 pm
OW isn’t Rauner gone?
Comment by May Soon Be Required Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:09 pm
=== isn’t Rauner gone?===
Raunerites, Rauner appointed leadership *still* runs the party.
Keep up, please.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 4:12 pm
Rauner isn’t gone until the ILGOP is willing to abandon his playbook. Now I would have thought that they would have learned that lesson in 2018 given the historic loss. But alas it appears that it’s all they know. So once again we’re in another election cycle where all we hear from the Republican party is “Madigan.” The party can’t reclaim it’s identity and way forward until it’s able to acknowledge it’s past mistakes and move on from them. There doesn’t appear to be much evidence that we’re there yet.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 5:06 pm
Rauner isn’t gone til the ILGOP come to the understanding that the only way out of our mess is to raise taxes. Income taxes. Retirement income. Gas tax. Sales tax on services. Property taxes. Did I miss anything.
In addition, Rauner won’t be gone til the ILGOP understand that we increase spending on K-12. Higher ed. Social services. Social equity. Police reform. Did I miss something.
Nope. Rauner will never be gone til the ILGOP changes their way of thinking.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 5, 20 @ 5:44 pm