Today, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced that he will continue serving Central Illinois families as State Senator for the 48th District. Manar, who publicly explored the possibility of running for Governor, has recently been focused on overhauling the state’s school funding system and reaching a resolution to the budget impasse.
Senator Manar issues the following statement:
“Our state and our nation today face generational challenges. Illinois continues to operate without a budget, our economy continues to lag behind our neighboring states and the nation as a whole, and our schools continue to shortchange children in nearly all but the most well-off suburban Chicago districts.
“Our governor, two years into his term, has failed to grow into the leadership role we so desperately need, instead choosing to use his ample wealth and the position in which the people entrusted him to put partisan politics in their most foolish, destructive forms ahead of substantive negotiation and competent reforms.
“The legislature, to be sure, is not blameless. But absent even a hint of leadership from the governor, there is little direction, and even less progress.
“For the last several months, many have asked if I planned to challenge Governor Rauner.
“I will not be a candidate for governor in 2018.
“As a husband, a father of three young children, and as the State Senator of the 48th District, a long, expensive campaign for governor would be unfair, both to my family, and to the people who have elected me to help create jobs, get our state’s finances under control, and create a fair school funding formula, an issue for which I have a great deal of passion.
“I will continue to be a strong voice for the citizens of Central Illinois. The families I represent, and working families throughout the state bear no responsibility in the dysfunction of Springfield. And yet they bear nearly all of the burdens of a government that refuses to get its act together. It’s unjust. And it’s not who we are as Illinoisans or as Americans.
“I won’t stop fighting for you. And despite the seemingly impossible situation we find ourselves in, I truly believe in our people and I believe we can strengthen all of our schools, create broad economic opportunities, and restore the lost pride in this great state.
- Under Influenced - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:13 pm:
Unfortunate that he isn’t a billionaire, which apparently is what qualifies to run these days.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
Senator Andy Manar, before this entire legislative session and before this 2018 campaign for governor is decided, will be as important a player in the whole election and governing cycle as anyone running for the Big Chair.
Senator Manar might be… the most important person pushing policy through this entire time yet to be.
More than both eventual nominees, more than the parties, more even than Trump…
… we may hear the name “Andy Manar”, and his name driving things politically that could shape strategies for the next 19 months.
Why put your name on a ballot when all sides are going to be discussing your policy wonky-ness within the parameters of both governing and politicking?
You don’t.
You drive your own policies within the frame you set up and by sheer depth and importance of the work, Senator Andy Manar will be important within the next “nexts” for Illinois.
- winners and losers - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
Andy Manar still will not admit that on Jan. 17 he told the other members of the Rauner School Funding Reform Commission on that there is “dramatic over-identification” for special education in Illinois.
He said it to support his position of wanting the elimination of the current State funding formula called Special Education Personnel Reimbursement.
When someone is wrong, will not admit he is wrong, and then tries to deny that he said something that was taped, he is not qualified to be Governor.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
A pragmatic move and a pragmatic response to a crowded field where most of his merits and resume are held by all of the others.
It’s easy to be the only show in town. It’s hard to be just like the other shows in town.
- Wizzard of Ozzie - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
Welp… looks like 3 dudes from the north shore competing for the downstate vote. Kennedy’s Southern 20 endorsement looks more important now.
- Brian - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:31 pm:
Would be a great successor to Cullerton.
- dunno - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
Trump won BIG in his senate district (15+)….he might not even be a State Senator come 2019.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
===Would be a great successor to Cullerton. ===
===Trump won BIG in his senate district (15+)….he might not even be a State Senator come 2019. ===
That second quote is why the first quote won’t happen. He’s always gonna be vulnerable.
- Grand Avenue - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
Could Andy beat Rodney? He’s in his district - Might be his play in 2020, when he’ll be halfway through his 4 year term.
- Opiate of the Masses - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
==winners and losers==
the feds and state board both say there is an over identification of students requiring special education in IL. is this news?
- Grand Avenue - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
Again, assuming he wins re-elect next year
- Springfield Dem - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
In total agreement with Oswego Willy. Manar has ability that none of the current candidates on either side possess. He could govern and lead. Unfortunately, ability doesn’t get you across the finish line in Illinois.
He is perhaps the most influential driver of public policy that we have seen from Downstate in a generation. For that reason, Rauner and the GOP will spare no expense to take him out in 2018. It will likely be the most expensive legislative race in state history. Manar will win.
- Curl of the Burl - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
Grand Avenue - that is a huge assumption at this point. Sue Scherer’s district will also be in play - unlike 2016.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
What a surprise…. Willy?? I’m waiting for you to say just kidding or “gotcha”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
I don’t respond to commenters without a name.
Either pick a name or move on.
Thank you.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
Like Oswego Willys a name ….grow up
- State Sen. Clay Davis - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
Better idea to run for Congress if he wants a promotion? Rodney Davis and every GOP US Rep has got to feel a bit nervous right now.
- winners and losers - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
==the feds and state board both say there is an over identification of students requiring special education in IL. is this news?==
Opiate: You are simply wrong. In fact a January, 2017, study by the Better Government Association found there was UNDER-identification of both African-American and Hispanic students for special education in Chicago.
Today too many ideas just get out there when they have no basis in fact. Unfortunately many people believe this, but when asked can not provide support for that statement.
Where is the data? What is the source?
- Say what? - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:51 pm:
You all a better look at his election results. Don’t forget he’s been elected twice to the State Senate. The second time in 2014 he increased his margin of victory when the turn out went down. And that’s when Pat Quinn was leading the ticket and he had voted for marriage equality (thrown out of his church ), on record for a progressive income tax, and supported countless “progressive” bills that send most downstate Democrats into fits. Honestly, I don’t know how he does it. It doesn’t make any logical political sense.
Without a doubt 2018 is going to be tough for him, but he’s the one person in the state that understands that better than anyone. Nobody knows that crazy district like he does.
- winners and losers - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 2:56 pm:
“Black children face double jeopardy when it comes to succeeding in school. They are far more likely to be exposed to the gestational, environmental and economic risk factors that often result in disabilities. Yet black children are less likely to be told they have disabilities, and to be treated for them, than otherwise similar white children.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/24/opinion/is-special-education-racist.html
- Spec Ed Teacher - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
==winners and losers
He didn’t say that at the commission meeting, I was in the room and I’ve listened to the meeting.
Andy Manar doesn’t hate children.
Go away.
- winners and losers - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
Special ed teacher (if you really are one): It is one thing to be wrong, it is quite another to make false statements.
The tape of the Jan. 17 Rauner Commission meeting is on the ISBE website.
Andy Manar most certainly stated there is “dramatic over-identification” for special education in Illinois.
And later in the meeting another member stated “Sen. Manar talked about over-identification.”
- Big Muddy - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 3:22 pm:
=Senator Andy Manar, before this entire legislative session and before this 2018 campaign for governor is decided, will be as important a player in the whole election and governing cycle as anyone running for the Big Chair.=
PLEASE. Ask Mike Mathis how well having Andy Manar around worked out. Manar is about as over-rated as there is in Illinois politics.
- A guy - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
The only sound of relief I hear from this announcement might be from Daniel Biss…and I’m not even sure if I hear that.
Manar would have a tough time running for Gov or to retain his seat. I’m betting…that he’s betting…that the big money will go in a direction other than that Senate District and he can more readily afford to be competitive there. That’s my thought.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 3:29 pm:
===Manar is about as over-rated as there is in Illinois politics.===
… and yet, when school funding is discussed, it will start with Manar… both sides.
That’s driving policy and the politics to policy…
- Blago's Hare - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 4:25 pm:
Secretary of State?
- filmmaker prof - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 4:26 pm:
He would make an excellent governor.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
==Big Muddy====
The most overrated politician in Illinois is Bruce Rauner. If he didn’t have his millions, he’d be lucky to be the dog catcher in Harrisburg.
- walker - Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 4:37 pm:
When all is said and done, one has to admire any legislator who tries to solve a complex fiscal problem, using real numbers. Best case, we probably cannot come up with more than a dozen who seriously take on the toughest challenges with detailed proposals.
- Hit Em With the Hein - Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
My predictions (ok maybe 2 of these 4 will happen):
*Manar runs for Jesse White’s job
*Pritzger doesn’t run and supports Daiber, yes, Daiber
*Kennedy picks a downstater to be his LT guv running mate (think Costello, II or the like)
*Avery Bourne runs and wins Manar’s seat