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* Press release…
After a series of caucus votes, Illinois House Democrats have finally chosen Representative Chris Welch to be the next Speaker of the House. Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider released the following statement in response:
“House Democrats have chosen to go from Mike Madigan, the most corrupt politician in America, to Rep. Chris Welch, a top Madigan lieutenant who has been credibly accused by multiple women in court documents of harassment, assault, and retaliation.
It’s now clear that House Democrats are doubling down on allowing Madigan’s corrupt machine to continue running state government. In Madigan’s stead, they have promoted a serial harasser and assaulter of women. But in spite of that, Welch passed the most important test this fall - he’s been a loyal Madigan ally for years but performed most recently as Madigan’s human shield in legislative hearings investigating the sweeping corruption scandal that ultimately brought Madigan down.
This decision is a travesty for the people of Illinois, and we will make sure every voter understands that House Democrats just can’t quit Madigan.”
Thoughts on the tone?
…Adding… Look who’s back…
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. https://t.co/ReZoroDXV7
— Radical Candor (@RadicalCandorIL) January 13, 2021
…Adding… Illinois Policy Institute…
Matt Paprocki, president of the Illinois Policy Institute, offered the following statement:
“This is a historic day for the General Assembly. For the first time in nearly four decades, Speaker Madigan was not voted into power by members of his own party.
“No state gives their House speaker as much power as Illinois. Under Madigan’s 36 years as speaker, Illinois’ finances deteriorated from a perfect credit rating and just under $6 billion in unfunded pension debt to the lowest credit rating in the nation and over $144 billion in pension debt. And the state’s notoriety for public corruption has been backed up by 1,978 public corruption convictions since Madigan first became speaker, more than any other state and over one a week.
“This vote must become a catalyst for lasting, meaningful change. Illinois can only reverse its culture of corruption and recurring financial crises by dismantling the system that has allowed for one person to control so much power, starting with the House Rules. For the first time in nearly four decades, state lawmakers have an opportunity to change this power structure and finally put an end to the endless cycle of debt and corruption. This moment in Illinois state politics should not be just about a new face, but about a new way of doing the people’s business.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:54 am
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Is it a shock? No. But how many times have they promoted Trump. Any reporter printing that should juxtapose ILGOP Trump statements. They have no credibility, no matter what you think of the Welch stuff
Comment by PC Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:56 am
New speaker, same old opposition party
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:56 am
So much for the GOP’s calls for unity and healing.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:57 am
A ‘Travesty’? Would they say the same about a white lady? These Trump supporters are stuck on the one note they have - everyone is Madigan! Be afraid! Get an issue…
Comment by BoystownBL Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:58 am
Honestly, if the Republicans were smart they’d sit back a little bit on this one. Part of me wonders if, without Madigan, the House Dems will start infighting pretty badly. Of course that’s just an observation and speculation…something they should consider if they ever want to try and take those collar counties back.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 11:59 am
No ILGOP, a travesty is what happened last week.
As predicted, didn’t take them a hot minute to find a new boogey man.
This one even comes with dog-whistles.
Comment by Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm
Very predictable. If you had asked regular blog readers to write a sample of what we thought the ILGOP would release in response to this, roughly 95 percent of us would have written that exact statement. The ILGOP just can’t help themselves.
Comment by Can Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm
All I’m reading is a eulogy for ILGOP’s greatest campaign strategy. They’ll have to come up with something else. Certainly won’t try to adopt more popular policy positions…
Comment by JJJJJJJJJJ Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm
I’m sad that they have an issue to run with.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm
But Welch!
Comment by LakeCo Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:00 pm
Predictable and meaningless. Who pays attention to ILGOP press releases?
They will eventually make Welch as big of a boogeyman as MJM was, but it’ll take a term or two.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:02 pm
I’m shocked. I thought they would cheer for the selection of the new Speaker.
/snark/
Also, the over/under for ILGOP references to Welshistan is two hours.
Comment by Crash Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:02 pm
Not helpful, also not surprising.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:02 pm
I wondered what their messaging might be, now I know. Before it was “Madigan” and now it’s still “Madigan”.
Comment by AC Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:02 pm
“and we will make sure every voter understands that House Democrats just can’t quit Madigan.”
Translation: We have all of this “but Madigan!” stuff printed out already, so we’re going to try to use it for a couple of more years.
I agree with Amalia - I wish they could have elected a leader without that type of baggage.
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:03 pm
=== he’s been a loyal Madigan ally for years but performed most recently as Madigan’s human shield in legislative hearings investigating the sweeping corruption scandal that ultimately brought Madigan down.===
They just can’t get out of their own way, can they?
Wasn’t the first part enough?
What a clown car of poor messaging.
If you’re still on “Because Madigan” with the first part they cite… then they truly lack the political acumen to rise out of the super minority status they “enjoy”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:03 pm
I mean, the ILGOP isn’t wrong. But they have no place to comment on HDEM leadership after the expletive that was the Trump Administration.
Comment by Just a guy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:03 pm
==just can’t quit Madigan.==
lol. Look who’s talking. Madigan mentioned 8 times in a brief, three-graf statement about the new presumptive speaker.
It’s true what they say: you can’t teach a super-minority party new tricks.
Comment by John Deere Green Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:03 pm
October 15th, 2064. Election day is coming up in a few weeks. ILGOP sends out their final mailers. “A vote for Smith is a vote for the Madigan Machine!”
Comment by JJJJJJJJJJ Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:04 pm
Radical Candor shouldn’t insult Speaker Madigan that way. He didn’t slam a woman’s head off a wall and he didn’t personally sexual harass multiple women.
Comment by ;) Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:04 pm
On a more serious note it is interesting that they decided to go with “Welch is Madigan” rather than “ILGOP defeats Madigan.” Strange they wouldn’t actually take a rare victory lap.
Comment by JJJJJJJJJJ Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:05 pm
The dog whistles about Chicago from the Eastern Bloc are going to become air raid sirens.
Comment by wolf Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:06 pm
The real key is what is the over/under on when an ILGOP or HGOP statement that blows up in their face comes? They aren’t known for having people who are sensitive to the dynamics of race run the show and we all know they will say something bad probably sooner than later, especially judging by Chesney on the floor today during criminal justice.
Comment by PC Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:06 pm
== I’m sad that they have an issue to run with==
Same. You guys can laugh all you want now, but if you think dem candidates aren’t going to get badgered over Welch’s past, you’re fooling yourself. You can’t just brush off questions about domestic violence accusations like you can with questions about whether one guy held too much power.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:07 pm
===Thoughts on the tone?===
That’s going to make it awkward for Durkin to make the motion to elect Welch by acclamation.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:07 pm
Prove it is a new day and start rebuilding trust in state government by passing ethics legislation JB promised was a priority in his state of the state address.
“We must root out the purveyors of greed and corruption in both parties whose presence infects the bloodstream of government,” Pritzker said in his 35-minute speech. “It’s no longer enough to sit idle while under-the-table deals, extortion or bribery persist. Protecting that culture or tolerating it is no longer acceptable, We must take urgent action to restore the public’s trust in our government.”
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200129/pritzker-calls-for-ethics-reform-to-end-scourge-in-government
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:08 pm
Republican toddlers at it again. They yell get rid of Madigan. Now Madigan is out they yell that isn’t what we want. Give me a break.
Comment by Illinifan Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:09 pm
ILGOP decided to replace the olive branch with a switch.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:10 pm
People really didn’t expect the Dems to develop ethics or morals during a shortened session, did you?
Comment by Really Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:10 pm
**In Madigan’s stead, they have promoted a serial harasser and assaulter of women.**
John Anthony says hi.
Comment by SaulGoodman Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:11 pm
Arsenal: The Republican press release is intended to remind voters of the election of a Speaker who has faced accusations of improper behavior It is not meaningless.
Meaningless is Mesut Özil’s contributions to Arsenal for the past year.
Comment by Angry Arsenal Fan Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:13 pm
=== ethics or morals===
Aw. You think the ILGOP has cornered that market.
That’s fun.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:13 pm
If the GOP can get a reasonable person through the primary (BIG IF) the black agenda that the Governor will likely sign into law will be the over played hand that allows that individual to win. Welch as the leader of the house means more progressive items on top. Dems have to learn the hard way that all of this will have consequences in the next election…..assuming GOP can also learn lessons from the current time we’re in.
Comment by Ed Equity Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:14 pm
The first part of the release is fair game. It’s fair game to the discussion.
To marry that to “because Madigan” makes their own fair arguments hollow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:15 pm
Illinois GOP be like:
“White Republicans deserve infinity second chances, but black Democrats deserve prison.”
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:19 pm
=== the black agenda that the Governor will likely sign===
Don’t look now, I think you’re saying the quiet part out loud.
Also, thank you for telling me your thoughts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:23 pm
=If the GOP can get a reasonable person through the primary (BIG IF) the black agenda that the Governor will likely sign into law will be the over played hand that allows that individual to win. =
A Republican who runs against a so called “black agenda” would, by definition, not be considered a reasonable person.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:25 pm
Candy Dogood for the win on this one. cheers
Comment by another millennial Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:26 pm
This is NOT about Trump. Not every Republican is a fan of Trump. As an independent I just can’t believe they can’t come up with someone better than Welsh. I assume if you are a Democrat you can abuse and harrass women? What a double standard. It is not right….Republican or a Democrat…..just wrong.
Comment by wondering wendy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:29 pm
Well that didn’t take long. It almost sounds rehearsed.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:31 pm
Interesting choice. That oppo research was concerning but yet fascinating the support he got from the women’s caucus. It will be interesting to see if this back fires later. But for now, the sun is rising on a new day.
Comment by Citizen Kane Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:33 pm
Tough statement to start out the year. Especially as the ILGOP has backed President Trump with his own problems in his treatment of woman. But politicians will politic. The only way there is anything constructive that will happen this General Assembly is what Durkin does when the Speaker vote is taken. Does he walk it back or double down. With the bad blood I think we know the answer.
Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:34 pm
What happened to people such as Greg Harris or Heather Steans? Wouldn’t they had had a clean background, rather than Chris Welch? If Welch was a trusted Madigan “lieutenant,” as the ILGOP puts it, will Madigan be pulling the strings from behind the curtain?
Comment by Christopher Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:38 pm
I think by travesty they’re referring to losing their only campaign talking point.
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:42 pm
I congratulate the new Speaker of the Illinois House, Representative Chris Welch. A new ILGOP boogieman was just crowned, however. They have, and will continue to call Madigan the power behind the pulpit. And they will continue to fundraise using that theme. Chris, I wish you success, and to the party of perpetual whining and grievance, I note your irrelevance continues, and is well deserved.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:05 pm
Why am I seeing this crap
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:22 pm
What better time to point out that the new Speaker has a jaded history than when he is crowned. But now let’s get about the business of fixing the state, which means people working together. Speaker Welch has to know he will need to keep Madigan at arms length or forever be linked if things go from bad to worse for Madigan. And he better be a model citizen in his relations with women.
Comment by SSL Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:38 pm
I don’t believe Republicans or Democrats hold the moral high ground in this state. If Rep Welch was a Republican and accused of what Mr. Welch is accused of Democrats would be going after him just as Republicans are now. Reminds me of children when caught doing something wrong but so and so did it.
Comment by say_it_like_it_is Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:41 pm
Pritzkers re-election will be the three County Pat Quinn model…..or he loses.
He will lose 70% plus south of She Ca Go
Comment by Fed Up Taxpayer Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:31 pm
=== Pritzkers re-election will be the three County Pat Quinn model…..or he loses.
He will lose 70% plus south of She Ca Go===
LOL
Land doesn’t vote. Voters vote.
It’s not heroic to win a county map view of Illinois. It’s pathetic that seeing a loss of a majority of voters is a win to… land
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:38 pm
If the Illinois Policy Institute continues to believe the silly that one half of one third of Illinois government is most powerful, they still show no honesty, they are merely grifting with flowery words to seem thoughtful.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:40 pm
“Pritzkers re-election will be the three County Pat Quinn model…”
That’s called “winning the election with the most votes.”
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 3:13 pm
Without the slightest hint of irony, Trumpist Republicans being critical of Speaker Welch. Wow.
Comment by Cosgrove Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 4:34 pm
=== I assume if you are a Democrat you can abuse and harass women?===
No you can’t.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Jan 15, 21 @ 9:46 am
== The Democrats just elected a man with a rather long history of multiple credible allegations of assault, abuse, and intimidation against women IL Speaker of the House.==
Where’s your proof?
Comment by Muddy trail Friday, Jan 15, 21 @ 11:10 am