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* From The Hill…
“The first question was, is there a clear and unwavering group that will keep Madigan from getting 60 votes,” said Rep. Bob Morgan (D), one of the 19 who has said he will not support the incumbent. “I think that question has been answered — the answer is yes.” […]
The result of a deadlocked House, observers said, could be months of chaos if Madigan refuses to concede — at a time when a global pandemic has sickened nearly three quarters of a million Illinoisans and killed more than 13,000.
“A lot of us want to pass comprehensive social equity reforms or combat climate change or support small business that’s suffering. We have a massive budget problem at the moment,” Morgan said. “And we can’t deal with that when there’s an individual who believes that his power is the most significant question in the state.”
Ouch.
* More…
The problem the recalcitrant Democrats face, though, is that no alternative candidate has yet emerged. Up to a dozen members may be considering their own bids if Madigan surrenders, and a battle over the Speakership would expose faults among a Democratic caucus divided by race, ideology and generational lines.
“There’s not yet agreement about who should replace him, or even a front-runner,” Simpson said. “It’s going to be a free-for-all because there’s no obvious person who’s declared.”
My own opinion is that if this challenge succeeds, the next House Speaker will likely not be among the 19 declared opponents. It’ll come from the 50 or so people who have pledged their support. But that can’t happen until either Madigan steps aside or until one of those 50 figures out how to put something together on the side and then present Madigan with an ultimatum.
* Meanwhile, there are a lot of rumors floating around right now, but this may be the least believable one…
The buzz quickly shifted to whether Gov. J.B. Pritzker had anything to do with her decision given Willis’ husband, Tom Willis, was appointed by the governor to serve on the state’s Labor Relations Board. He did not, said Willis in a text to Playbook: “Governor was never informed or consulted regarding my decision.”
The governor is not going to play that game yet.
…Adding… Forgot to post this from the chair of the special investigation committee…
Back and forth after House Minority Leader Jim Durkin calls on Speaker Madigan to resign: pic.twitter.com/GRl2CIUjvc
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) December 2, 2020
…Adding… From Durkin’s comments…
“I’m asking him to leave the General Assembly,” said Durkin. “All roads in this massive and wide scandal lead to Speaker Madigan. Speaker Madigan under no circumstances can continue to serve.”
Two other Republicans, Reps. Tom Demmer of Dixon and Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst, called on Madigan to at least testify before a special House panel about his involvement with ComEd. […]
Durkin says he was not aware of what his chief of staff may have done, but that he personally has not sought jobs. Regardless, he continued: “This is not about hiring recommendations. It’s about a nine-year hiring scandal.”
Based on court documents, Durkin said he believes further indictments against other people are on the way, but he gave no specifics.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:50 pm
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O’Scopey’s Law
1) No one can beat Madigan (head-to-head)
2) Madigan can’t win
3) Never count Madigan out
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:57 pm
*O’Scopy’s Law (darned autocorrect)
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:58 pm
The next Speaker is short term. Who is stepping up for that?
Comment by Wow Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:01 pm
@Wow: if by short term you mean, will serve less than 40 years, then I think everybody agrees
Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:09 pm
You banned my use of “Speaker Welch” months ago. But…
Comment by Ok Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:13 pm
Score card maybe needed to see who is in or out when the final vote and influence and pressure is understood. Some one has to keep control and heard the bills that need to be approved.
Comment by bear 3 Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:14 pm
The HGOPs would be more credible if Leader Durkin wasn’t also featured in the avalanche of damning emails released so far. Welch is right to highlight that inconvenient fact in his response.
If the HGOPs want to claim the moral high ground, perhaps they should consider forcing their leader to go too. Otherwise, what’s the point of this exercise? To replace one leader accused of influence peddling with another noted influence peddler?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:16 pm
=To replace one leader accused of influence peddling with another noted influence peddler?=
Please name one Durkin confidant charged in a sweeping corruption case? Madigan’s apples to oranges if you ask me.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:19 pm
“And we can’t deal with that when there’s an individual who believes that his power is the most significant question in the state.”
Who knew Bob Morgan could be ironic.
Comment by really? Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:21 pm
I understand the Governor is after the position he said it is a much more prestigious job.
Comment by Nieva Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:29 pm
Colin O’Scopy - Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:19 pm
Durkin himself says there is a higher standard than charged. If that’s the case, Durkin is not immune. The ComEd emails clearly show an effort to place Durkin loyalists as part of the ComEd apparatus. Period. That’s the Durkin Standard.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:38 pm
= To replace one leader accused of influence peddling with another noted influence peddler?=
I hope you’re not suggesting Durkin has a chance to be Speaker? As I didn’t see one HGOP on the list of 19 taking the moral high ground.
Comment by May Soon Be Required Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:38 pm
=== …the company took the same steps to influence him…
If you’re a player, you can’t be a referee too, Jim.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:41 pm
….”If no candidate reaches 60 votes, Madigan will retain the title, though he will have no formal powers; the House would instead be run by Secretary of State Jesse White (D) until someone reaches the 60 votes necessary to win the Speakership.”
So Jesse White may run the House come January?
Comment by Twinkie Man Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:47 pm
These reps speaking out aren’t that brave. The only thing that has changed this year from the previous 20 is that this time the Speaker got caught. His power was always what came first.
Comment by Pete Mitchell Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:47 pm
I think the unspoken fear is that once Mr. Madigan goes, if we see an flood of social justice/green new deal/equity legislation that this will be a bridge to far for the average Democrat voter and suddenly the House will be in play and maybe the Senate. If IL Republicans can get their act together.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:02 pm
This may be a dumb question but does the 101st GA have to adjourn or does it automatically adjourn on January 13th at noon?
Comment by Blazer Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:36 pm
=== the average Democrat voter===
(Sigh)
The HDems are at 73 seats… and they control the next map.
Wirepoints/Illinois Review/IPI, they are down the dial with…
“the average Democrat voter”
Yikes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:07 pm
==….”If no candidate reaches 60 votes, Madigan will retain the title, though he will have no formal powers; the House would instead be run by Secretary of State Jesse White (D) until someone reaches the 60 votes necessary to win the Speakership.”
So Jesse White may run the House come January?==
If that happens, will Jesse truly indeed be running the House–or will that be another task he will defer to Benigno?
Comment by Just Wondering Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:18 pm
== The HDems are at 73 seats… and they control the next map. ==
You think absent Madigan this group can or orchestrate a map that is supported by 73 democrats? What you’re seeing is a large number of them orchestrated to boast about voting for a Democratic speaker - something that should be a given - yet they lack a candidate. It’s laughable to think they’ll be able to draw a map.
Comment by Blah blah Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:26 pm
Oh boy, lol
=== What you’re seeing is a large number of them orchestrated to boast about voting for a Democratic speaker - something that should be a given - yet they lack a candidate.===
They are merely responding to Durkin’s trolling. You are either willfully ignorant or blissfully unaware that the Raunerites have done something even Madigan “Himself” couldn’t do;
Unite labor and all Dems against all things Republican.
Keep up.
=== You think absent Madigan this group can or orchestrate a map that is supported by 73 democrats?===
Oh.
You’re under the impression there’s gonna be 73 “safe Dem” seats? That’s fun.
There *will* be 13 “Dem safe” congressional seats, that’s easy to see already.
There’s gonna be hurt feelings, that map won’t keep 73 HDems fully safe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:31 pm
Has Madigan began charged with any crimes?
Comment by M Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 6:37 pm
Where was this courageous Bob Morgan in 2019 when he voted for Madigan? Instead of leading, he chose herd immunity.
Comment by Naysayer Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 7:30 pm
== You think absent Madigan this group can or orchestrate a map that is supported by 73 democrats? ==
Only 60 members have to like the map for it to pass…unless JB vetoes.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 8:28 pm
So Madigan uses the “I don’t know” excuse and Durkin calls him out. Durkin does the same thing and uses the same excuses without any consequences whatsoever. Come on Jim, you’re better than that…
Comment by Gary Hart Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 12:44 am
–The governor is not going to play that game yet.–
Finding myself increasingly intrigued by the use of the qualifier “yet.” It contains a host of possibilities …
Comment by dbk Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 2:23 am
@OW - Kinda gives it away when Raunerites can’t bring themselves to stick an “ic” on the end of Democrat when using it as an adjective huh, Willy?
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 11:43 am