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* Here are some audio clips from yesterday’s Senate Executive Committee hearing on recall, kindly provided by our great friend Ben Yount of Metronetworks…
* Pat Quinn vs. Sen. Trotter and Senate President Jones, while Chairman Silverstein tries to maintain order…
[audio:QuinnandJonesRecall4-16.mp3] * Senate President Jones, Sen. Trotter and Quinn go at it some more, and Chairman Silverstein’s “circus” comment…
[audio:RecallCircus416.mp3] * Sens. Iris Martinez and Rickey Hendon go after Rep. Franks…
[audio:MartinezandRecall416.mp3] * Rep. Jack Franks makes his case and is hammered, while Senate Majority Leader Halvorson asks for a floor debate, but Trotter says he will hold the bill in committee…
[audio:FranksonRecall416.mp3]
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:09 am
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What an embarrassment the Illinois Senate has become.
Comment by Leigh Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:24 am
I won’t disagree, but Franks did push a bit too far.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:27 am
Let’s be equal opportunity… when both chambers treat legislation as if it were hand grenades to be chucked across the rotunda it is no wonder there is such brazen disrespect towards each other.
Rich-
You missed the audio (but it might be after it was shut off) where a Senator was yelling at Franks saying, “Go back to the House… This is the Senate! This is the Senate!”
Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:29 am
I don’t have any statehouse experience, but I’m just dumbfounded at what passes for governance. I’m truly at a loss for words. I have no respect for the senate whatsoever.
Comment by Greg Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:37 am
I took more objection to the way Jones talked to Quinn. Quinn is the Lt. Gov. and whether Jones likes it or not the office he holds deserves some respect. An educated person can disagree in a civil and respectful way while still getting their point across. This sounded like a grade school playground fight.
Comment by Leigh Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:39 am
Their actions are the reason we need a Con Con.
Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:42 am
This was awesome! Why do people equate debate, no matter how heated, as bad government? Why is it bad that Senator Trotter held this bill when so many respectable people have argued that it is bad policy? Why isnt anybody really talking about the fact that Lt. Gov. Quinn is pushing this now because he is an opportunistic politician? If he was really for this for 30 years, why didnt he begin this discussion immediately after he was elected in 2002?
Why can the hypocrites look across the table and call people who disagree with them hypocrites? I have 1000% more respect for President Jones and Senator Trotter after listening to this debate. Personalities aside, they have taken down a bill that would have created bad public policy.
Thank you, Senators.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:47 am
Anon, it’s a lot easier to be disgusted with the process when you have no association with the process.
Comment by Greg Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 12:01 pm
OK. Let me try again in a manner that won’t get deleted. Anon - I agree that recall is bad policy, but that does not excuse the manner in which Trotter and Jones are handling this. They don’t care if this is good policy or not. And it is laughable for them to demand respect for themselves and the chamber when they are offering none to Lt. Gov. Quinn or Rep. Franks (and others). It is absolutely breathtaking that Jones and Trotter are brazen enough to throw around the word “hypocrisy” in describing others actions. It is clear that they have no intention of letting this legislation see the light of day for very political reasons. At least Quinn (and Franks) is willing to stand up and say that yes, he sees the governor as a reason to have recall. Trotter and Jones are attempting to be much less transparent, yet call others hypocritical.
Comment by S. Illinois Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 12:02 pm
You know what? At least it’s out in the open. The more the better. Let the sun shine in.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 12:07 pm
The Illinois Senate is a legislative laughing stock and a prime example of how a to govern your way into a disaster. It is a body ruled over by a self-interested obstructionist who would sooner do a favor than do what’s right. For years the “upper house” has been cow-towing to the will of President Jones as he provides complete support for one of the most disliked and least respected executive officers in the nation. It’s time for the senate dems to sit down and calmly think to themselves, “What have we gotten out of this blind allegience? How has it benefited the chamber, my district and the state as a whole? What good does President Jones’ defense of the governor do?”
If they can’t find at least 1 good answer to these questions, it’s time for a change. Throw the money changers out of the temple!
Comment by Diamond Dog Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 12:10 pm
Is it “showing respect” when Rep. Franks continually insults, in a very personal manner, the governor? Is this not hypocricy? Dont act like you are arguing objectively, yet allow subjectivity seep in when it suits you.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 12:11 pm
===Their actions are the reason we need a Con Con.===
I keep reading this. What exactly do you expect a con con to do? Outlaw legislators?
Comment by Bill Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 12:15 pm
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 12:16 pm
I appreciate the chance to hear the audio clips. Recall is poor public policy and its hard to take any of these men seriously when their personal agendas are so transparent. Quinn should have run for Governor if he didn’t like what Blago was doing. Franks’ illusions of granduer that he will ever be more than a state rep is laughable. Without any support from the black caucus or the labor community, he doesn’t have a prayer in a dem primary. He’d be better off switching parties and become the repub he really is. Then, we may be spared his endless pursuits for attention. As for Quinn, I am truly disappointed. I expected more.
Comment by Stephen K Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 1:09 pm
I don’t believe in the recall but I think that Trotter should call the bill, if it passes let Rod veto it if he wants.
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 2:04 pm
It’s not a bill, it’s a constitutional amendment. The governor has zero direct involvement in those measures. It goes right to the ballot if passed by both chambers.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 2:08 pm
Rich thanks to you and Metronetworks for posting that priceless audio.
During your postings and the written coverage I thought that the attacks on Franks were just mean, but now after listening to it clearly Sen. Trotter’s comments about Franks being a Hillary backer and his hair were jokes.
Sen. Martinez’s comments about the way she is voting being based on political activity in her primary was not a joke. I wonder if that could be used in any sort of ethical preceding against her? Nahh, there are no ethics rules in the Senate. Never mind.
As wacky as Quinn is you have to give him points on his rhetorical style there, whipping out the Harold Washington reference was very deft indeed.
Comment by Napoleon has left the building Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 2:33 pm
Observant, it is you. Goodbye.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 3:16 pm
“Remember, a Leader’s strength flows from the Legislature. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.”
Comment by Napoleon has left the building Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 4:11 pm
To Emil, Ricky, Donnie, Halvorson, Clayborne, Jimmy and all of you Senate Ds,
The Gov is watching from his cave. Loyalty is rewarded. Stand by your man.
Comment by Truth Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 4:27 pm
Bill - we already know what the con con will do. We’ve been getting the con con from this group for years!
Comment by Disgusted Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 5:47 pm
AA thinks now is the time for all to step back, take a deep breath, and follow Sen. Martinez’ advice to “hold on to your electeds.”
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 6:25 pm
Napoleon, I was also wondering about Sen. Martinez’ comment about Franks’ loyalties during the primary election. I can’t put my finger on it, but it seems out of bounds (aside from being very catty).
I am not for recall but I am also not for some of the stooges running the IL Senate. I agree that all parties involved have their own selfish, transparent motives. While this is true for politicians in general, at least the U.S. Congress conducts itself more elegantly most of the time.
It’s hard to take the IL Senate seriously with people like Emil Jones running the show.
Comment by Undercover Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 6:32 pm
Oh, Zephyr winds which blow on high…Why did Jessica Jaramillo drop her challenge to Martinez in the primary?
Comment by The Shazam/Iris Hour Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 8:45 pm
(oops - meant the Institution of the Senate)
Comment by Former Illinoisian Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 9:32 pm
Great audio. Sorry to have missed “the show” only I could not have kept a straight face. Franks got what he deserved from the “big boys.” I really enjoyed it.
Comment by Loisl Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:35 pm
Let’s look at one of the reasons Mr. Jones is so supportive of the governor on all issues including blocking the recall amendment.
A porky job was handed out to Lorrie Rickman Jones PhD back in March 2007. Ms Jones is a psychologist with a standing practice. There’s no reason to believe she isn’t qualified to do the job as a psychologist.
However, getting your hands on how much her practice may have received over the years from government contracts is like pulling teeth from a grizzly bear. I wonder if this information could even be obtained with a Freedom of Information Act request to the Governor, without a costly legal battle.
And what do you know, by some act of fate, Ms. Jones is coincidentally the wife of Senate President Emil Jones!
Amaing how these things work isnt it!
Comment by Speaking at Will Thursday, Apr 17, 08 @ 11:50 pm
[…] Rich Miller has some great audio on his site regarding yesterday’s recall hearing in the Senate. […]
Pingback by Listening to the Illinois Legislature | Extreme Wisdom Friday, Apr 18, 08 @ 12:42 am
Leigh @ 11:39 am said: “An EDUCATED person can disagree in a civil and respectful way while still getting their point across. This sounded like a grade school playground fight.”
You have no idea, or maybe you do, how close to the truth you are…
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 18, 08 @ 4:21 am