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* Press release…
Statement from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus House
The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus House held a first of its kind Speaker of the House Candidate’s Forum Saturday, December 5th. Out of the 118 members of the Illinois House, only two candidates availed themselves to our process for Speaker of the 102nd General Assembly. After analysis, we believe our caucus is in a more advantageous position under the leadership of Speaker Madigan to deliver on our priorities. We have a daunting task ahead of us to repair harm done to black communities because of long standing systemic disinvestment, the challenges stemming from COVID-19 and of course the underlying reasons why it is important to pass the Black Caucus’ Policy Agenda: Criminal Justice & Police Reform; Education & Workforce Development; Economic Access; and Access to Health Care.
The members of the House Illinois Legislative Black Caucus have taken a Caucus position in support of Representative Mike Madigan as Speaker for the next General Assembly. We need a Speaker that will provide strong, consistent leadership and support for the challenges ahead.
It’s time to refocus on the work in front of us and be prepared to start the next General Assembly’s business immediately.
This means, of course, that now the opposition cannot reach 60 votes for a different House Speaker.
*** UPDATE *** From the only Black Caucus member who has said he will not vote to reelect Madigan…
State Rep. Maurice West Responds to Black Caucus Statement with 4 words
My position hasn’t changed.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:04 pm
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===long standing systemic disinvestment===
Certainly has nothing to do with the longstanding Speaker of the House…
Comment by Citizen Kane Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:08 pm
Your move, “the 19”
The “New Day” Caucus needs to put to bed, as ONE voice that the Speakership, as the 19 see it as one, is over.
It’s up to the 72 (plus Madigan) to remove folks who will be unable to get 60 from the conversation…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:21 pm
To the Black Caucus move specifically, and separately;
This endorsement also puts other possible candidates on notice that the Black Caucus now, and possibly later, are speaking with one voice, so the thought to peeling members away from this specific endorsement will be a heavy lift to the totality, and it’s leverage in all forms, with unity, one voice, they as a collective will be strong to that leverage, so why splinter and get less in any deal.
And… with MJM still without 60 after this endorsement, the wooing of the caucus in its entirety allows a win-win no matter the outcome, if the Dems stand firm and only put forth a Dem candidate with a locked in 60… and the Black Caucus too. Win-win in this for them.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:34 pm
Trench warfare it is
Comment by Nick Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:51 pm
GOP, make yourself relevant again. Pull a John Kasich and and broker a deal with the 19 to find a Dem that you can stomach to get behind. It’ll never happen, but it would make for great theater.
Comment by AD Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:56 pm
Madigan will be reelected
Comment by Silencio por favor Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 11:11 pm
I wonder if Jesse White is up to presiding over all those votes. I believe he would be the oldest person to preside over a vote of the Illinois House.
Comment by Just Another Anon Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 11:36 pm
This may go on long enough that Anna Valencia is presiding over the votes.
Comment by Ok Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 11:39 pm
If your not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:59 am
Boy will they look silly if an indictment comes down because someone decides he doesn’t want to die from old age in prison.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 1:24 am
And in other news, water is wet. I am shocked. Shocked. I gotta go lie down.
Comment by Really Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 7:09 am
“If” is a very big word
Comment by Austinman Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 7:14 am
This is gonna get crazy
So will members of the 19 kiss the ring or stand by their public statements. With what 45 votes, could Durkin actually show some political(and actual leadership) and broker a deal with those votes or reach across the aisle and convince some of those 19 to vote for one of his?
I know, I know, ridiculous.. but the enemy of my enemy is my friend…
Comment by 618er Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 7:14 am
The circular firing squad is forming. As a loyal Democrat I am disturbed that we have a caucus supporting Madigan. He has shown little interest in the black community until recently. One of the surest ways to become a Republican state is for Democrats to continue to support long serving Democrats, especially those identified as targets in a corruption probe. I’m a Democrat because the Moderate wing of the Republican Party disappeared. I suspect there are many like me. Actions like this really test my boundaries. Please enlighten me on what Madigan has done in his tenure to advance the black community.
Comment by Stormsw7706 Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 7:26 am
The absolute quickest way for the GOP to get a new speaker is to have their entire caucus vote for one of the 19.
But then what would their bogeyman be?
Comment by Ok Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 7:31 am
I’m assuming Rep. West, as one of the 19, does not plan to honor this “caucus position”?
The original reporting suggested we should expect an endorsement signed by 21 of 22 ILBC members.
The fact that there do not appear to be individual member names attached is interesting to me, as is the fact that this statement arrived nearly 5 days later than originally expected.
Is it fair to assume that, while the Speaker enjoys the support of the majority caucus, that that support likely falls somewhere below the 21 members originally expected?
Comment by SpiDem Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 7:42 am
AD - Never going to happen. That manuever was copyrighted by Willie Brown in 1995, and I don’t see the House GOP coughing up the required copyright fee. /S
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 8:12 am
Madigan got the momentum he needed. At least 6 of the 19 No Caucus can still change their minds and it won’t end their careers. The Speaker needs to clearly state his case why he should remain and have the strongest of arguments.
Comment by Druid Eye Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 8:30 am
=== At least 6 of the 19 No Caucus can still change their minds and it won’t end their careers.===
Yeah. Ok. Name them.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 8:33 am
Buckle up, everyone 2021 for Illinois Politics is about to be a crazy ride.
Comment by Gohawks123 Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 8:47 am
I’ve said it before and say it again.
1.) Madigan Can’t Win
2.) No one can beat him
3.) First candidate (opposition) loses
4..) Never count Him out
Comment by May Soon Be Required Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 8:48 am
===Yeah. Ok. Name them===
Exactly right. Don’t come back here until you do.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:14 am
As shown, an indictment will probably come during lame duck or reg session in Jan…then what?
Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:18 am
Maybe I’m reading too much into the word choices, but there are two statements here:
“we believe our caucus is in a more advantageous position under the leadership of Speaker Madigan”
“The members… have taken a Caucus position in support of Representative Mike Madigan”
Neither of those seems to indicate unanimity or a set-in-stone position. How much consensus do they actually have?
And to release a statement in the evening several days after the meeting? Also makes it seem like things are bubbling under the surface.
Comment by Scorekeeper Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:36 am
Like others, I question what value Madigan brings to the Black Caucus. Maybe it is a temporary position, and they will ultimately back one of their own members as Speaker once Madigan realizes he doesn’t have the 60 votes needed. But that could take awhile.
Comment by Nova Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:36 am
Seems like the whole thing is just noise right now. I would assume there is a lot of behind the scenes bargaining going on right now, we will see what happens when nominations start. Until then it is all parlor games and positioning.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:38 am
===As shown, an indictment will probably come during lame duck or reg session in Jan…then what?===
Maybe, maybe not… the USA decides the trolling when the case is also ripe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:43 am
The indictment is dependent upon one of the recently indicted turning states witness. Doherty or Pramagiore are the best bets. Feds need more than Marquez’s testimony.
Comment by BeenThereDoneThat Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:34 am
assuming Rep. West, as one of the 19, does not plan to honor
Not sure I’d make that assumption. This could be his ticket out of the gang of 19.
Doherty or Pramagiore are the best bets.
I am sure they are already singing more than the sing-along Handel. But I doubt they can touch MJM.
Only one person can do that…..
Comment by Fav Human Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:54 am
Well, Ohio couldn’t dump their GOP speaker until he was indicted, so the pattern may continue.
Comment by VerySmallRocks Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:04 pm
MJM is a pro and very much in control and needed.
Comment by bear 3 Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 3:34 pm
I don’t see how Rep. West, or any of the 19, walk back a pledge to not vote for “Representative” Madigan as Speaker.
Comment by SAP Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 3:38 pm
=== MJM is a pro and very much in control and needed.===
So was Al Capone
Comment by AD Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 3:59 pm
As many have noted, Madigan will leave when Madigan decides to leave. He still has that fair map to do. No one does them better.
Comment by Touré's Latte Friday, Dec 11, 20 @ 8:59 am