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* Denise Crosby at the Aurora Beacon-News…
It’s not such a stretch to link the current attempt to upend the state’s most powerful politician to a teenage gabfest back in 1989.
That’s when a few girlfriends, sitting on a couch in Midlothian, began talking about what they wanted to do with this next phase of their lives after graduation.
That’s also when then 18-year-old Wheaton High School grad Stephanie Kifowit, “a little bored” working at Osco and taking some classes at College of DuPage, declared her desire for some “adventure and excitement.” So she pulled out a phone book, called a Harvey recruiting station, and picked the U.S. Marine Corps over the Air Force or Army because she figured “go big or go home.”
When I spoke with state Rep. Kifowit on Friday, the 84th District Democrat who represents portions of Aurora, Naperville, Oswego and Montgomery, had a day earlier announced she was challenging Michael Madigan’s post as Speaker of the House. And she quickly pointed to her stint in the U.S. Marines with giving her the moxie to take on the undisputed Boss Man of Illinois politics and do so in such way that could define her own political destiny.
Go big or go home?
* Daily Herald editorial…
We’ve been quick to heap praise on Democratic lawmakers who openly have taken the politically courageous stand of calling for Mike Madigan to give up his positions as House speaker and head of the Illinois Democratic Party. But the announcement by Oswego Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit deserves special acknowledgment of its own. For, Kifowit brings something to a decision about leadership in the House that the lower chamber hasn’t seen in almost anyone’s memory.
Democracy.
Republican candidates for the Illinois House are putting pressure on their Democratic opponents to announce whether they will support Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who’s implicated but not charged in a bribery scheme unearthed by federal prosecutors. […]
And though she’s taken nearly $800,000 from political funds Madigan controls, last week, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, who’s running unopposed for her House seat, said she can’t support the speaker and will challenge him for the position when the new Legislature is seated in January.
“The people of Illinois are tired of putting up with corruption or scandal for a long time,” Kifowit said.
* Related…
* State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit on why she’s challenging Mike Madigan for Illinois House Speaker: ‘We need to have a much higher standard of principle and ethics for those individuals in very high leadership positions in the state’
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:25 pm
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If you can’t get something nice written about you by Denise Crosby and you have even the remotest connection to Aurora you need to hang it up.
Seriously, she is the most positive writer in the world, it’s her style.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:35 pm
“For, Kifowit brings something to a decision about leadership in the House that the lower chamber hasn’t seen in almost anyone’s memory.
Democracy.”
Powerful. The choice between the future and the corrupt past has always been available, and it has slowly becoming inescapable. It’s time for that body to embrace, including any others who feel they are the right leader for the future.
Comment by Liandro Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:40 pm
Interesting question - Let’s assume HGOP loses at least a few seats this cycle. Let’s also assume that Madigan will have votes to be Speaker, does he let some members in potential 2022 top tier races break ranks and vote against him? Or, try to win with as big a margin as possible? Food for thought.
Comment by CubsFan16 Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:40 pm
You are not going nearly big enough, so just go home.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:41 pm
“And though she’s taken nearly $800,000 from political funds Madigan controls…”
What’s the word? Chutzpah
Comment by Under Influenced... Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 2:41 pm
So the top one or two most endangered Dem legislators should declare themselves as candidates for Speaker just before each election? Best October surprise ever.
Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 2:45 pm
She would be, I believe, the first female speaker of the Illinois House.
Comment by Just Another Anon Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 2:58 pm
As has become customary among House Democrats, it is a woman who demonstrates actual bravery and leadership. C’mon fellas, find that lockbox key and cowboy up. You are an embarrassment.
Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 3:15 pm
Ya, like “Osco Steph” is equipped to raise $27 million in campaign donations needed to protect and hold the Illinois House? Any Democratic member that cast a vote for her ia going to be held accountabl
and see a primary battle. Osco Steph eats from the Speaker”s hand and now wants to hand the gavel to Republican Jim Durkin
Sad!
Comment by Marty36 Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 3:21 pm
I’m glad the outside world praises her because most people in this caucus and around the Capitol can’t stand her.
Comment by Gary Hart Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 4:45 pm
Hey Stephanie how’s Carol Cheney?
Without Mike Madigan, Kifowit is still an Aurora city council member. She was incapable of running her own campaign. I hope she continues to thank Shaw for her beating Cheney.
Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:44 pm