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* Press release…
Oak Park Democrat Don Harmon has the support of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to be Illinois Senate President in the 102nd General Assembly.
“I am honored and humbled to have the support of my colleagues to serve as president of the Illinois Senate. We have a fantastically talented collection of Senate Democrats who are ready to make their mark, solve problems and lead Illinois through an upcoming year that will be filled with both challenges and accomplishments,” Harmon said after the vote.
Senate Democrats caucused virtually Thursday regarding the upcoming session.
The Illinois Senate Democratic caucus will have 41 members for the 102nd General Assembly, which is scheduled to begin on Jan. 13, 2021. One of the first official actions of a new General Assembly is to elect the Senate President and minority leader posts. In the Senate, the governor presides over the chamber until the Senate President is elected.
Harmon was elected Senate President earlier this year by his colleagues to serve out the remainder of the two-year leadership term previously held by Sen. John Cullerton, who retired from office at the start of 2020.
During Harmon’s first session as Senate President, the COVID-19 global pandemic forced the cancelation of much of the 2020 spring legislation session. Faced with ongoing public health concerns regarding large gatherings, the Senate embraced technology and in May adopted official rules for online hearings so the Senate’s work could continue. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and Black Lives Matter marches, the Legislative Black Caucus under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford quickly embraced the new online Senate committee process and launched a series of hearings on racial and social justice in an effort to build a legislative agenda to address systemic racism in Illinois.
Harmon, 54, was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2002. He lives in Oak Park with his wife Teresa. They have three children. He has a BA from Knox College in Galesburg, and a law degree and MBA in economics from the University of Chicago.
Harmon is an avid guitar player and founding member of the bipartisan Boat Drink Caucus band.
Speaker Madigan is currently embroiled in a reelection battle, Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady was ousted by his caucus and House GOP Leader Jim Durkin defeated a challenge. Harmon won his chamber’s top job a year ago after a bitter battle, but he had an easy ride to a full term.
…Adding… Politico…
He also gave Lightford the reins to manage much of the online Senate committee process, including hearings on racial and social justice issues.
On Thursday, she nominated Harmon to keep the Senate gavel, a sign of his ability to unite the caucus.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 6:59 pm
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When you think back to Harmon getting the seat, and then now, he and his caucus is seemingly the least volatile of the four
Life moves pretty fast
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 7:11 pm
What Willy said. What a difference a year makes. Good for Harmon.
Comment by Centennial Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 7:14 pm
==Life moves pretty fast==
If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 7:32 pm
Harmon is without question the most powerful legislator in Springfield. O how times have changed.
Comment by Frumpy White Guy Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 7:38 pm
I have been told that 19 House Democrats will be announcing (via Twitter, of course) that the next Senate President will most certainly be a Democrat.
Comment by Inverted Pyramid Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 8:24 pm
Durkin’s last-minute plea for Dems to elect him Senate President was rejected.
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 8:29 pm
Frankly, he has had like 1 month of session at the helm…
Comment by Ok Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 8:35 pm
Well deserved; well qualified for Sen. Harmon. House Dems: pls get your act together!
Comment by Twinkie Man Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 8:45 pm
**Frankly, he has had like 1 month of session at the helm…**
You missed a lot.
Comment by SaulGoodman Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 9:51 pm
A decent person in an indecent arena. Good for him and for Illinois.
Comment by Bored Chairman Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 9:52 pm
Let’s hope the Governor moves quickly to work with President Harmon and the Senate Dems. The two of them have been personal friends for decades and these next two years is a great opportunity to grow and develop their professional relationship. The State desperately needs these two to work together to solve problems.
Comment by ANON Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 10:05 pm
Outstanding. Don Harmon learned well from Phil Rock.
And St Ignatius does well yet again.
Congratulations President Harmon!
Comment by low level Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 11:37 pm
Good for Don and for Illinois. Nice classmate and an all-around good guy. It’s good to know there’s a smart, capable, and reasonable person in the Senate chair.
Comment by DirtLawyer Friday, Dec 4, 20 @ 10:37 am
Congratulations to President Harmon on being re-elected. His wisdom, fairness, fundraising abilities will continue to serve Illinois well!
Comment by White Sox booster Friday, Dec 4, 20 @ 12:31 pm