* If you’ve been following our live coverage post, you know that Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood) voted “Present” during the roll call for House Speaker. He was the only House member to take that position. Speaker Madigan was re-elected 66-51.
* The Question: What action, if any, should the House Democrats take on Rep. Drury? Please make sure to explain your vote.
*** UPDATE *** From Rep. Drury…
Earlier today, State Representative Scott Drury (D-Highwood) did not vote for Michael J. Madigan in the election for Speaker of the House, voting “Present” instead. Set forth below is Representative Drury’s statement regarding the vote:
As a high school student, one of my favorite poems was Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” The poem tells the story of a traveler who finds himself at a point where two roads diverge. Forced to choose, the traveler chose the one less traveled, and “it made all the difference.”
Today, I found myself at a similar divergence and chose in accordance with Frost’s traveler. I did not vote for Michael J. Madigan in the election for Speaker of the House. To my knowledge, no one has taken this action in approximately 30 years. Whether it will make “all the difference” remains to be seen.
I am confident that my vote represents the view of the vast majority of my constituents. In that respect, the decision was easy. Unfortunately, I have learned that what is popular with constituents does not always align with what is popular in Springfield. In the end, I chose the public over politicians.
While my choice was binary – vote for Mr. Madigan or don’t – the vote was not about him. Illinois is in a free-fall into the abyss. My action today should give hope to the hopeless that a new day is on the horizon.
In the weeks leading up to this vote, I seriously explored the possibility of running for Speaker of the House. To my knowledge, no Democrat has ever taken this initial step in the Madigan era. It became clear that for myriad reasons a majority of the General Assembly is not ready for a new Speaker.
Finally, I have been asked if I fear repercussions. With history as a guide, the answer is yes.
Frost’s traveler said the road less traveled “made all the difference.” He was silent on whether taking it was easy. I will let you know.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
They should ask Goldner and Proft to run his primary.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
Put him in charge of all conference committees, a duty he’s uniquely suited for.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
Give him a copy of “Profiles in Courage”
- siriusly - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
Don’t do anything to him. Ignore him as usual.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
Chairman of the Yellow Light Caucus.
“Drury, party of one? Your table is ready.”
Old Yellowstain.
- Juice - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
Every House Democrat wears a wire every time they speak with Rep. Drury.
I don’t think this requires explanation.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
It’s actually quite fitting that his un-remarkable career will be highlighted by Present vote.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
Move his seat to the one Dunkin just vacated along with an mp3 player loaded with a loop of “All By Myself” and let him reflect.
- Moe Berg - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
None. He’s already an irrelevance, ignored by his colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans. Leave him be in the splendid isolation of his imagined moral superiority.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
Dems should not let Drury pick his seat location on the floor, but…
…come next session day put his seat on the Raunerite side of the aisle.
- Dome Gnome - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
Move his seat to Dunkin’s vacated spot.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
Have him write a 50,000 word essay on federal prosecutors.
- Bobby Catalpa - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
Start calling him Dunkin.
- Ahoy! - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
They should follow his lead.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:19 pm:
I don’t criticize because he his against Madigan, I criticize because what he did was rather weak and pointless.
He told his constituents he might run for Speaker. That would have been a bold move. Nope.
He could have voted for Durkin to show he really wants to break the log jam. Nope.
So instead of doing something bold he votes present. That’s leadership?
- Tommydanger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:19 pm:
One is the loneliest number, that you’ll ever hear.
Two can be as lonely as one, but not in the case of Rep. Drury.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:20 pm:
===Old Yellowstain===
If I borrow that - 47th Ward, note I am citing you right now in the event I forget to properly give you credit in future uses…
OW
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:23 pm:
Reality?
Scott Drury has proven often, he’s a “Caucus of One”. His vote is more about himself than Madigan and that’s telling and sad and pure Scott Drury.
Not someone ANYONE would want to be in a foxhole with, former federal prosecutor title notwithstanding.
- My New Handle - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
What inaction should be taken, really. No committee assignments, just an acknowledgement during quorum counts that he is present (if he is there). Count his votes, but don’t pre-count them.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
Really outstanding stuff here, I mean that, everyone.
The best thing that could have happened to the house D’s is losing the 71. Now Drury matters even less than he ever has.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
Drury and Ives should only be appointed to a special committee of two to investigate the disappearance of unicorns.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
I said the Dems would be at “66″, and Drury didn’t “disappoint”.
The Republican House numbers say 51 but reflect back 52.
Rauner needs 8 Democrats, Drury has chosen his side.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
What Siriusly said.
Legislators know that a “present” vote is in reality a “no” vote. I suspect to most citizens, a “present” vote just denotes confusing wishy-washiness on a simple “yes” or “no” question.
I don’t see the positive benefit for Drury. If you’re going that route, why not go all the way so people know where you stand?
- Saluki - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
A candidate for Shaquille O’Neal’s Shaq tin a fool segment.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
Ignore him until the next election then pound him with his spineless present vote.
The political times call for elected officials to take a stand, up or down. Voting “present” is not an option.
This gives 1.4% somebody to praise as being opposed to the Speaker. Expect the IPI ads to start in 3, 2, 1 …
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
–Drury and Ives should only be appointed to a special committee of two to investigate the disappearance of unicorns.–
They could combine their prosecutorial and para-military skills to bring the elusive Lincoln County Strangler to justice.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
1. Move his office to the basement of the Stratton Building.
2. Make him park at the garage next to the Wyndham.
3. Put his picture up at Saputo’s with the caption, “Do not allow this man to enter!”
All kidding aside - why not just vote for Jim Durkin?! I hate present votes unless there is a literal conflict of interest. I would assume he gets no committee posts or is relegated to some random committees that never meet.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
As we used to tell them, there’s a reason that button is yellow…
If there are enough Dems, he should be relegated to the D side of the aisle, in that sad little front row, all by himself.
Obviously no Chairmanship, despite it being his third term.
No benefit of the doubt if he’s not in the chamber, i.e., automatically running his bills on 2nd
And, naturally, a primary opponent….
- Piece of Work - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
He should run for president in 2020. After all, Barack voted present a lot while in the state Senate and look where it got him.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
whoops, relegated to the R side of the aisle, in the sad front row, all by himself…
- Joe M - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
==Start calling him Dunkin.==
No, Dunkin Jr.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
Huh - the IPI has already begun.
- jim - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:33 pm:
He doesn’t want to vote with the Rs, he knows Madigan is a disaster. Is there another option besides abstaining? I don’t see one.
I understand the people on this sight disliking Rauner. But all this Madigan-love makes no sense.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:33 pm:
Propose and pass a resolution that mandates State Reps pay a fine of $1 every time they mention their previous career. It will either shut Drury up or solve the budget crisis.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:33 pm:
Best description: flaccid. a bad memory for him in retirement
- wondering - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:34 pm:
OW, better that you quote/cite The Caine Mutiny from whence it came. Makes it all the more appropriate, too.
- Obamas Puppy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:34 pm:
Is he a former Federal prosecutor?
- In a Minute - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
Piece of Work said it before I could. Very funny.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:36 pm:
Given the rancor other Democratic members will face and how IPI and the Raunerite State Party will spin this…
… Gotta seat him not with the Democrats.
Would it look bad, petty, play into the IPI and Raunerite narrative? Yeah, but that’s all coming anyway. Thinking it won’t be coming is foolish.
Seat Drury with the Republicans. Drury let 66 Democrats down, when they hung together.
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
Let him have the gavel for 5 mins and then ceremoniously take it away. Just kiddin!
- Arock - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
If he hasn’t done it before then he needs to do it 128 more times to equal President Obama in the Illinois Senate.
- Texas Red - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
Give him Jack Franks old desk - birds of a feather and all.
- The Cardinal - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
Take him in a good ole southern snipe hunt… when he makes it back to the north shore his perceptive will be changed.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
Become the Internet spokesperson for madigan, you can put words in is mouth to say
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
Put Monique Davis on contract, assign her to be his staffer.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:08 pm:
Force him to eat at the Stratton, two meals a day, five days a week for the next 12 months.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:13 pm:
I have a feeling Drury’s campaign finances will be audited in the near future.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:16 pm:
–I have a feeling Drury’s campaign finances will be audited in the near future.–
By whom?
- kitty - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
Ignore him, no chairmanships. It shouldn’t be difficult to find a primary opponent given that his district has a large population of progressives. Drury hasn’t done anything for the growing poor and largely Latino population in Highwood, a large number of whom live within a few blocks of his Sheridan Road office.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:25 pm:
They could place a yellow chair at his desk. But, 2 years is a lengthy time, and it’s not impossible he’ll be needed sometime during that time.
Might be smart for a visit to the Principal’s office first and see if that helps. Making him too much of a martyr could do more to provide him with some company rather than ostracize him. This is more delicate than it looks.
- Deft Wing - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
No need to do anything to him … he ostracized himself from the first day of his first term.
That said, Drury’s vote was clear, unlike the barely audible and timid votes for Madigan from his Dem colleagues.
- Texas Red - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
Drury is not one to sit around - he has already filed his constitutional amendment limiting House /senate leaders to 10 years.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=4&GAID=14&DocTypeID=HJRCA&LegId=99508&SessionID=91&GA=100
- Nieva - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
Out of the 66 that voted for MM how many would have preferred not to? Mike is like the small town city cop, make him mad or go against him and your district is going to lose.
- Simple Simon - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
I thought that it was a requirement to vote for Colin Powell if you cannot support your party’s nomination for president.
- Bedlam - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
Ugh…he totally butchers the actual meaning of the poem. Frost’s traveler doesn’t actually take the road less traveled by. And, also, how is doing what you think the voters tell you to do taking the road less traveled? This is not meant as a defense of the Speaker at all but if you’re going to get up on a high horse at least get your facts right.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
“chose the public over politicians”
I can’t wait until the IPI picks this up and batters the Democrats over the head.
Note to Representative Drury - caucus with the republican’ts because you are not even a DINO.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
Drury isn’t a martyr.
The fact he thinks that remiss me its not about anyone… an-E-one, but Drury.
His selfishness trying to be sold as selflessness is pure Drury.
- MSIX - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:55 pm:
Frost’s less traveled path did indeed make all the difference. Drury’s less traveled path is circular and hence goes nowhere.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:14 pm:
“My action today should give hope to the hopeless that a new day is on the horizon.”
You know sometimes I think people are too hard on Rep. Drury…but then he goes and says something like this and now I think the comments in this post are too kind.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:24 pm:
- Piece of Work -
If your bar is me for anything to get pumped about I wouldn’t declare that publicly for your own credibility.
Also, your comment makes it appear my assessments are correct about your comments by being “pumped” that I did g comment.
Why you felt the need to give credence to my assessment of your individual comments that’s a head scratcher.
To the Post,
After further thinking, if Drury can’t follow Madigan, how can he feel comfortable in the Caucus that voted 66-0 without him?
Hmm.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
Whether you agree or not, his vote showed courage. Let us see now how he is punished.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:30 pm:
===his vote showed courage.===
The “Present” button is Yellow for a reason.
Just sayin’
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:37 pm:
The Secretary of State convenes the House, but what happens if there is no Speaker elected? Just keep going until the logjam is broken like happened with the Senate during Thompson’s early years?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:44 pm:
Oswego: As usual, you are predictable and wrong.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
” - Anonymous - ”
How so, use your words.
Thanks.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:49 pm:
Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up(Robert Frost)
- Chicago 20 - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:52 pm:
I believe Drury is at the crossroads and says he will take the path less taken.
I also believe a year from now Drury will be at that same crossroad spot without traveling it a inch.
Indecision is the worst decision.
- buffalo soldier - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:52 pm:
Whenever he makes remarks on the floor, start the timer.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
–I believe Drury is at the crossroads and says he will take the path less taken.–
Drury subscribes to the car-commercial interpretation of “The Road Not Taken,” that it’s an unambiguous celebration of a non-conformist, independent spirit.
The actual poem is a lot more complex, as the traveler finds after choosing the second path that the roads are pretty much the same, hopes he can try the first one some day (but probably can’t), and that, hopefully, “ages and ages hence” that he will say that the road chosen “made all the difference.”
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:05 pm:
Present = standing in place doing nothing.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:06 pm:
Scott, “I used to be a federal prosecutor” Drury showed remarkable courage in refusing to take a stand. On top of that, he tries to pat himself on the back for his incredibly high opinion of himself. Wow, what leadership and grace under pressure. Hopefully, he’ll make himself available for Chicago Tonight so Carol Marin can probe the depths of his brave leadership. Maybe he can correspond with Blago to stock up on poems as he shoots to the top of the political world.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:08 pm:
–Drury isn’t a martyr.–
Of course not. He’s bringing “hope to the hopeless.” That’s way above martyr on the pay scale.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:20 pm:
===He’s bringing “hope to the hopeless.” That’s way above martyr on the pay scale.===
I guess I wasn’t giving full credit where credit was due.
That’s on me.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
Somewhere there is a rape victim, a student who had to leave school due to no financial aid, and a entry level state worker about to lose hundreds a month in extra insurance premiums who are now joyfully optimistic due to this one “present” vote.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:25 pm:
===Somewhere there is a rape victim, a student who had to leave school due to no financial aid, and a entry level state worker about to lose hundreds a month in extra insurance premiums who are now joyfully optimistic due to this one “present” vote.===
Really, why?
When Madigan was Speaker and Rauner wasn’t governor many of the things you cite had mechanisms and funding to assist them.
Since Rauner, no budget has existed or presented by Rauner to help those you cite.
What’s your… point?
- slow down - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
I happen to think the present vote matters a whole lot more than others here do. Drury is a Democrat and he’s not going to align himself in any meaningful way with Rauner. So he was never going to vote for Durkin.
But, he did something that no other dem member has ever done and that’s refused to support Madigan. He didn’t abandon his party, he abandoned his party’s leader and I’m not certain that’s a bad thing.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:43 pm:
===He didn’t abandon his party, he abandoned his party’s leader and I’m not certain that’s a bad thing.===
Oh boy…
Drury abandoned (your choice of words) the other 66 Democrats that realized that Rauner will attack them all (and the Raunerite State Party sent emails before the Speaker even spoke!) and any and all cracks between the 67 will cause the others more headaches and less governing could be the result.
If anything was learned, the last person you trust in ALL the 100th General Assembly is already arguably the least liked member in that General Assembly too.
That’s what was affirmed by the former federal prosecutor today… about himself.
- Piece of Work - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:50 pm:
Willy, it’s okay to occasionally have a sense of humor.
Really, it is.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 4:58 pm:
- Piece of Work -
Again, worrying about me, your interpretation of things pertaining to me… you should let it go.
Thank you.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 5:05 pm:
Does it matter that he’s 100% right about what his constituents would have wanted him to do?
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 5:22 pm:
Highland Park isn’t Oak Park. It’s light blue. It isn’t a hotbed of union support. It’s not eager to spend more money to support CPS (the state senator from the district has bucked Democrats in the past on this issue). I’m guessing the Rauner-Madigan “who is more unpopular” gap is wider there than in most Dem districts.
- Juice - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 5:34 pm:
slow down, “But, he did something that no other dem member has ever done and that’s refused to support Madigan.”
Not quite, Dick Mautino (Frank’s father) voted present in the late 80s. So it has happened, just not recently.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 6:04 pm:
This does not surprise me. Drury also took “the road not taken” when he voted against the contract arbitration bills, saying that he was trying to protect unions’ right to strike. I don’t know the guy or his politics, but I had a hard time believing him. It made no sense. He had to have known that these are unusual times with a union-busting governor, and that it was best for a non-disruptive solution to the AFSCME contract dispute–arbitration.
Anyway, congratulations to Madigan for his reelection as Speaker. Yes, he should be criticized and slammed for his role in our big messes, but I see something in him that I don’t see in the governor. That was shown when he led on and helped pass legislation that I personally find very important and beneficial.
Something else mitigates my criticism of Madigan: Rauner’s benefit of having a very low state income tax for decades and profiting immensely from public employee pensions. I find it hypocritical that Rauner would take such a hard-line stance against Madigan when he (Rauner) profited so much and contributed, with many of the rest of us, to our massive problems.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 6:12 pm:
I’m sorry I didn’t answer the question. I guess I’ll go for ignoring him. Just try to get votes out of him that you can and try to live with the rest. I don’t know what would make Drury cast votes that are controversial to him.
- walker - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 6:40 pm:
A Present vote means he took neither road. It’s also not what any constituents wanted.
What a martinet!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 7:08 pm:
OW, I’m the anon from 4:22. It was sarcasm based on his “hope to the hopeless” line.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 7:13 pm:
The “problem” with 3,649 ” - Anonymous - ” is those commenting as such and “guessing” tone or sarcasm.
No track record to speculate intent.
Now I do know that intent there.
OW
- State worker - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 7:23 pm:
Frost’s poem is that you can’t take both roads and still be the same person. Your choices become who you are.
It’s so gross of Drury to use this poem for his inane bragging.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 8:21 pm:
Drury Lame
- low level - Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 9:33 am:
Call his bluff and… do nothing.