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* I’m writing this at 5:49 in the morning and the Illinois Senate is still in session. I’m going to do something I’ve never done before and go to bed while a chamber finishes up its last night of work. The House convenes at 8. I cannot promise you that I will fire up the blog by then, but keep an eye on the live coverage post and the news feeds for updates. Thanks.
Keep it Illinois-centric and polite, please. Thanks.
…Adding… OK, I choked down about a half a cup of coffee. Did I miss anything?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 5:50 am
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Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
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Our members of Congress keep making national news. Now it’s Rodney Davis.
Comment by Highland IL Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 6:05 am
Two thoughts over my 1st Java:
1. Wish the Gov’s office had been on top of this de-coupling issue. Why/how/who missed this?
2. Rep. Welch has the requisite skill set to be Speaker. Wishing him (and Illinois) well.
Comment by Ashland Adam Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 6:36 am
Trumpland seems to be crumbling.
Comment by Zagura Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 6:37 am
It was a nice sunrise over the capital city today. A new beginning in the chapter of Illinois politics begins today.
Comment by Gohawks123 Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 7:27 am
792 murders in Chicago in 2020. Lori Lightfoot is incompetent.
Comment by Draw Sunshine Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 7:32 am
A party divided cannot stand. Hypothetically, if Kinzinger bolts the GOP, maybe it’s safe to assume there’s other conservatives out there to join him who aren’t on the Rand Paul-Mike Lee libertarian wing. Who might be with him? Amash? Erika Harold? The McCains and Colin Powell? Do you think there’d be enough leaders and voters to get something rolling?
Comment by TwoCent Ante Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 7:40 am
PQ talked about the de-coupling issue during his next-to-last budget cycle. The issue seems to pick up steam every few years just to stall out again.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 7:41 am
I would like to know how much coffee Rich will have consumed by the close of business today.
Comment by Rich Hill Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 7:49 am
I’m glad to see Rep. Bailey out of the hospital, and I wish him good health.
I’m less glad to hear him, upon his return, quoting Lincoln: “A nation divided against itself cannot stand.”
This is such insulting irony, coming from a leader of the carve-Illinois-in-two movement. We see you, Representative.
There are no bounds to the spellbinding hypocrisy and lack of self-awareness exhibited by the crowd who shout for burning it all down one hour and “let’s all heal” the next.
Comment by Linus Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 7:57 am
Is it me or does it seem like 2021 is telling 2020 “hold my beer”?
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:05 am
Highland IL- Yep, he’s being real classy and a great “representative” of Illinois /S
“Another representative, Illinois’ Rodney Davis, was heard shouting that the checks were ‘horse s***’. Davis went through the metal detector, but then came back and was heard telling House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer that the new measures were ‘bulls***’, and they were diverting valuable resources. He also said GOP members weren’t consulted by security officials before they were installed.”
One of his fellow Republicans was also causing a scene because she had promised her constituents that she would always be carrying a gun at the Capitol. Wonder if she was more afraid of being caught in a lie, or being actually caught with taking a gun into the Capitol and onto the floor of the House this morning?
What is wrong with these people (banned punctuation).
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/rodney-davis-among-republicans-lashing-out-against-new-security-measures-at-the-capitol/
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:08 am
Flyin’ Elvis you made me laugh til I felt good…thank you (banned punctuation)
Comment by Dog Lover Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:15 am
I still have the one-pager I wrote on the pressing need for decoupling when I worked for Rod, if anyone wants it.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:16 am
sun shining, beautiful day to take a walk .
Comment by Amaliaa Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:25 am
I hope everyone has a lovely (and manageable) Dec. 44, 2020, today.
Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:41 am
Flyin’Elvis’–Utah Chapter
That made me laugh out loud
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:50 am
@Northsider - hilarious. Needed to start a tired morning with a grin. Thanks.
Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:52 am
Bears are not learning from this year it seems. Sigh.
Baseball anyone?
Comment by Swampy Corn Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:57 am
In the spirit of Mayor Lightfoot at a rally in November, to the romanticized antics of Speaker Madigan; let’s take our democracy back.
Comment by NastyNader Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:00 am
Rep. Welch is an extension of Madigan and should not be considered as speaker.
Comment by JJ Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:08 am
Assaulting women should automatically bar Welch from being Speaker. That anyone would think otherwise is very disappointing.
Comment by Now I'm down in it. Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:11 am
High of 50 in Springfield today. Gotta like that.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:12 am
=== is an extension of Madigan===
The Black Caucus disagrees with you on that point.
Good try.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:13 am
Madigan has never assaulted women as far as I can tell.
Comment by Now I'm down in it. Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:23 am
I don’t know anything about Welch, but those incidents from 2002 and 2010 don’t reflect well on him as a person.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:26 am
So they’re trying to get rid of the Monday night fundraisers in the name of ethics?
Who wants to break the news to Downtown Springfield caterers, bars, and restaurants about this loss of business on top of their COVID losses?
Comment by SKI Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:27 am
He made mistakes long time ago. Looks to me like he is committed to lifting up women and breaking the circle of domestic violence.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:27 am
Now I’m down in it and Friendly Bob Adams:
In agreement. Stunned by female House Dems/women’s groups.
Comment by Pizza Man Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:31 am
Wonder why domestic violence rates higher in black community? Couldn’t have anything to do with history and their lived experience could it? Those that are committed to breaking the cycle are good in my book.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:38 am
“He made mistakes long time ago.” - That doesn’t matter under the new rules of society, does it? Some people get passes now? I had never heard this story. For those also unaware, he allegedly banged his ex-girlfriends head on the counter in 2002.
Comment by essentially working Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:40 am
While incredibly happy to see the era of MJM come to an end… I wish I could be excited about what comes next. I’m glad a person of color was chosen, but that doesn’t erase the shadow the past issues raise.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:47 am
So, when all is said and done, we go from one frying pan right into the fire. 2010 wasn’t that long ago so far as the Domestic Violence issue goes. And the women seem to have evaporated from the race entirely. Weird.
Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:48 am
Essentially—/. Key word is allegedly. Welch has never been charged with any offense or convicted of anything. His voting record and fight for women is well documented. He has never had any scandal attached to his name in all his years in office nor was there any hint of wrongdoing through the height of the Me2 Movement. These oops are desperate attempts by Republicans and opponents. They know he will be an effective Leader
Comment by Realtalk Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:48 am
== Is it me or does it seem like 2021 is telling 2020 “hold my beer”?==
20 turned 21, and is now buying the beer for itself and everyone from 20.
Comment by fs Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:49 am
== Ashland Adam Wish the Gov’s office had been on top of this de-coupling issue. Why/how/who missed this?
Very charitable of you to think this was ‘missed’. Seems likely they didn’t want to talk about another billion dollar tax increase when they were going for the $3+ billion tax increase in the graduated tax amendment. Too cynical? Maybe but our choices seem to be incompetence or intentional.
Comment by midway gardens Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:52 am
OW - Wasn’t the BC backing Madigan up until a couple days ago and had no problem with him retaining his position? They weren’t the ones trying to run him out. The Speaker has been a BC ally for a long time. To me, the BC supporting Welch doesn’t negate JJ’s comment. They get to have a caucus member as speaker and not make an enemy of Madigan by voting for a guy who had Madigan’s back during the Comed hearings. Seems like a win-win for them. If they are lucky, they give their guy the gavel and hopefully keep Madigan on their side for the usual fundraising and campaign assistance he has provided for decades. So doesn’t the BC backing kind of support the “Madigan 2.0″ storyline instead of refute it? What am I missing?
Comment by NoMoreMC Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:57 am
If Kinzinger becomes an Independent or Dem and runs for Gov, does JB have a chance of re-election?
Comment by OK Boomer Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 9:59 am
=== Wasn’t the BC backing Madigan up until a couple days ago and had no problem with him retaining his position?===
Politics is a funny game.
Your premise is that the Black Caucus reason to back Welch is “Madigan”? Again, they disagree.
=== keep Madigan on their side for the usual fundraising and campaign assistance he has provided for decades.===
Oh. Ah. Now I get it.
You think MJM is gonna hang around and “do stuff”
Why?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:02 am
No, MJM is heading out the door. Highly doubt he will be sticking around and running the fundraising apparatus for the caucus…
But does he get to take his ornate window which bears his name above Suite 300?
Comment by Pizza Man Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:09 am
Welch at 55
17 present
1 not voting
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:09 am
In previous posts just about every women’s group has come out pretty strong for a female speaker. With that as a backdrop I find it hard to believe that a lot of female legislators will vote for Welch with his past issues. I wonder if an alternate like a Greg Harris might emerge
Comment by Regular democrat Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:09 am
The hypocrisy around Welch’s alleged domestic assault and more recent harassment (meaning 2010-12 by recent) is a bit hard to accept. Lang was ousted over harrassment allegations, but allegations Welch beat his girlfriend’s head against a counter get a “Meh”???
Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:12 am
Regular democrat…late last night…I called for Majority Leader Greg Harris. The consensus candidate. Again, nothing against anyone’s race, gender, socioeconomic background, respectfully speaking.
I had wished Rep. Will Davis threw his hat in the ring or any other African-American Female member like Rep. Ammons.
Comment by Pizza Man Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:13 am
Did Welch even deny the head-bashing allegation? All I saw in the paper was that he blamed the GOP for bringing the (three) allegations up. Look, I’m not zero-tollerence on MeToo - I wouldn’t have forced out Al Franken, but I also wouldn’t race to put a person with these kinds of allegations into a position of power.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:17 am
Wow, no mention so far of the affront to democracy and good government by introducing the 764 page police reform bill at 3:04am for debate at 4:02am and vote at 4:49am? What a travesty.
Comment by Shemp Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:19 am
==If Kinzinger becomes an Independent or Dem and runs for Gov, does JB have a chance of re-election?==
lol. You checked the size of the Kinzinger family’s bank account lately compared to the Pritzkers?
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:23 am
@Perrid - thanks for reminding us that the allegations against Lang were all proven unfounded.
I wonder whether Darren Bailey has actually turned over a new leaf?
Let’s remember the rest of Lincoln’s quote:
“A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.
I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
It will become all one thing or all the other.
Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.”
Lincoln’s statement was not a call for compromise, but a declaration that on some issues there is no middle ground.
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:23 am
Our sorry state: The paving stones used on the plaza and sidewalks in front of and alongside of the Thompson Center are cracked and crumbling in many places. The formerly “state of the art” building of the future is showing its age and not being well maintained.
Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:26 am
Thomas Paine-* * * * *
Just another all too frequent example of Lincoln quotes being taken out of context or not fully put in context.
Well done. Thank you.
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:33 am
Since Rich brought up coffee, how does anyone on this blog prepare their coffee? Drip machine, french press, or perculator? Assuming you make coffee at home.
Comment by Levois J Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:42 am
The unalloyed, widespread acceptance of Rep. Welch as probable next Speaker is dismaying for me and I would imagine for anyone who has dealt with sexual harassment and retaliation in the workplace. Charges, convictions, and successful lawsuits are relatively rare compared to incidence and the fact there’s any paper on this person makes it worthy of caution and scrutiny. Thinking of Alaina Hampton today.
Comment by yinn Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:45 am
~~The hypocrisy around Welch’s alleged domestic assault and more recent harassment (meaning 2010-12 by recent) is a bit hard to accept. Lang was ousted over harrassment allegations, but allegations Welch beat his girlfriend’s head against a counter get a “Meh”??? ~~
Yeah, I don’t get that either.
~~If Kinzinger becomes an Independent or Dem and runs for Gov, does JB have a chance of re-election?~~
Interesting thought. But he’ll never run as a Dem. he’s a proud staunch Republican. But I do believe he could give the election a run for its money…pun intended.
Comment by SandyC Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:48 am
Rodney Davis needs to behave in a more mature manner. Going thru a metal detector isn’t going to hurt him. After last week,no one should get a pass. There were people in positions of authority and in law enforcement forcing their way into the capital for nefarious reasons. What makes him more special than anyone else wanting entrance to the building and secure areas?
Comment by thoughts matter Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:50 am
“Lang was ousted over harassment allegations, but allegations Welch beat his girlfriend’s head against a counter get a “Meh”??? ~~”
Former Leader Lou Lang, who coveted the speakership, must be heartbroken and shocked..
Comment by Pizza Man Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 10:51 am
“Drip machine, french press, or perculator?” Mr. Coffee drip machine here. But then I’m not picky about my coffee, as long as it isn’t burned.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:02 am
Anyone know why the House has not posted a calendar for the spring session?
Comment by L.A. Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:36 pm
===why the House has not posted===
Maybe because the Speaker was just elected a few minutes ago?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:37 pm
the calendar is not going to change based on who the speaker is? they have staff for this.
Comment by L.A. Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:41 pm
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Comment by Jim Starcevich Wednesday, Jan 20, 21 @ 8:20 am