* Rep. Scott Drury e-mail…
Friends:
Today is my last day as your State Representative. I want to thank you for the privilege of allowing me to represent you these past 6 years. What a long, strange trip it’s been.
I leave as I came in - on my own terms. In 2013, the question was whether a former prosecutor, dedicated to ethics and honest government, could have success in the swamp that is Springfield. I’m happy to report the answer is a resounding yes!
In my six years in office, I ushered in historic criminal justice reforms - even as my Democratic colleagues defended the warped policies of Anita Alvarez and the Chicago Police Department. I created the national model for legislation designed to end the scourge of revenge porn. I took on the NRA and won - working to implement assault weapons bans throughout the District. I passed groundbreaking child-protection legislation.
At the local level, I prevented Highland Park from implementing the misguided policy of charging people who call the police seeking medical assistance for intoxicated minors. I stopped video-gambling from being implemented in Highwood. I helped District 113 with its renovations and helped prevent District 112 from wasting our tax dollars.
I took the bold step of shunning Mike Madigan for Speaker of the House with no repercussions beyond childish antics. While he withheld gifts, I have left him with the gift of my legacy. Based on reports, a newly-elected Democratic state representative will not vote for him when sworn in tomorrow. (Unfortunately, it is not our new state rep.) Six years ago that would have been unheard of.
The success we all achieved during my three terms was well beyond anything I could have imagined when I first ran for office. The greatest sign of this was the increasing attacks on me over the years by those who saw their stranglehold on government slipping away. Those attacks simply fueled my motivation to work harder on your behalf.
None of the above would have been possible without your unwavering support and encouragement. It truly has been a privilege to represent all of you. I will cherish my time as a State Representative. Thank you!
–Scott
- Operation Gambat - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:30 am:
Now he’s just a former prosecutor and not a former FEDERAL prosecutor?
Looks like he gained some humility in Springfield.
- 10th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:30 am:
what did Mr. Drury do for a living before he was a state rep?
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:33 am:
Shots at Mike Madigan and Anita Alvarez in the same e-mail. He’s so anti-establishment!
- "childish antics" - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:34 am:
Only two words anyone needed to read from this missive.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:35 am:
The legacy is… working with Rauner strengthened Madigan and Drury is “outside looking in”
- Montrose - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:36 am:
Did he just say that we all have him to thank for Stava-Murray?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:42 am:
“Hold my beer” Anne Stava-Murray, probably
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:43 am:
I get politicians are always selling themselves, to a certain extent it’s needed to win, but my god this guy’s ego.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:44 am:
Needs a few more “I”’s in there. That just might be an indicator of his problems during his tenure.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:51 am:
Wow, he was more in charge than Rauner and Madigan combined based on everything he accomplished!
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:52 am:
Quite the revolt you championed there Scott. *eye roll*
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:57 am:
Luckily I — I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence. I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Madigan, er, Madigan sense my power, and they seek the life essence. I do not avoid Madigan, Mandrake…but I do deny him my essence
- OutOfTown - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 9:57 am:
Even on his way out, he’s still talking about the clocks…
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:03 am:
I didn’t make it through the whole letter. I think I’ll wait for the major motion picture.
I hear Bale, Cooper, Gosling and Damon are at the top of the list to star, while Eastwood, Scorsese and Spielberg are fighting it out for the rights.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:04 am:
==voting against Madigan, legacy==
Im sure Stava-Murray had Scott in mind when she campaigned on this.
So one member of the caucus wouldn’t vote for Madigan and now another one will. So what? He will still be Speaker.
The entire thing is ridiculous. Pelosi had- what- 16 of her caucus vote present or for other candidates? She still won. And subsequent votes (on rules and budget) have shown a united Dem caucus.
I suspect the same will be true in Springfield
- Jocko - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:06 am:
Translation:
Even though you wanted noting to do with me in the General Assembly, you are all better off having been in my presence.
- We'll See - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:08 am:
Scott’s *cough, cough* clocking out
- Southside Markie - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:18 am:
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it…
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:19 am:
Yes, our state is so much better that nobody followed Drury’s lead in pushing back on Speaker Madigan because…I dunno,because Drury’s petty and unlikeable or something. Goodness knows there’s not another Democrat in the House who was capable of standing up to Rauner and acting ethically at the same time. We all breath a sigh of relief at Drury’s exit.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:27 am:
—Quite the revolt you championed there Scott. *eye roll*—
I think the one in Les Miserables had a more successful outcome.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:28 am:
I’m surprised Drury could step away from a mirror long enough to type this message.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:30 am:
OneMan wins the thread. POE
- dundun - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:34 am:
Is this that guy who got blown out in the primary for AG? Legacy….
- Chunga - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:35 am:
Scott:
Go read Ozymandis.
YXXX
Everybody in Illinois
- Golden Globe - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:36 am:
First - Mathew McConahey would play Drury. Second - this blog is going to be pretty boring without Drury and Ives around. Love them or hate them, they actually tried to get things done.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:38 am:
===…they (Drury and Ives) actually tried to get things done.===
Yeah… to that…
If you can’t get 60 and 30 from your colleagues and leadership, you’re getting nothing done.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:39 am:
A legend in his own mind. We should expect his face to be added to Mount Rushmore soon.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:41 am:
–Goodness knows there’s not another Democrat in the House who was capable of standing up to Rauner and acting ethically at the same time.–
Voting with Rauner on veto overrides was standing up to him?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:41 am:
Not a surprise that readers here are not fans of reform.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:46 am:
===Not a surprise that readers here are not fans of reform.===
Keep up.
“I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”
That’s who Drury was voting with Rauner.
Hurting people. Purposely… in the name of fighting Madigan?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:48 am:
OneMan is after the commenter of the year award.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:50 am:
== Second - this blog is going to be pretty boring without Drury and Ives around. Love them or hate them, they actually tried to get things done. ==
Taking over the role is Stava-Murray. Our entertainment value is secure.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:52 am:
Thank God for Scott Drury. He has single-handedly brought a reformist tsunami to fruition here in Illinois. He has steadfastly fought against the forces that have literally destroyed the lives of each and every citizen in our state. Please join me in signing the online petition “Replace the Lady” to replace the current tired old statue in our Capitol’s rotunda with a new statue of the heroic change agent of our age. Please also contribute to the gofundme page for the Drury statue. Say it with me now …. #MeetyouattheDrury
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:52 am:
Only an egomaniac would take credit for Anne Stava-Murray. Drury had nothing to do with her win, or her decision to vote against Madigan from what I can tell. In fact, Stava-MURRAY and Drury appear to be on the opposite side of the tax issue and many others.
- Deadbeat Conservative - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:53 am:
=Not a surprise that readers here are not fans of reform.=
Aahh - “Reform” in an Orwellian kind of way. Your definition of Reform -which has come to mean ripping-off working people, piling-on public debt, and harming public infrastructure.
Correct - Proudly not a fan of your “Reform”.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:54 am:
“Not a surprise that readers here are not fans of reform.”
LOL. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m not a fan of Drury himself. I am also not a fan of a lot of his decisions, but if you can read this baseless self adoration and come out of it with a positive view of the man, I’d love some of what you’re smoking.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 10:55 am:
==If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it…==
Apparently, the tree puts out a letter to make sure people know it is falling.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:02 am:
Comparing Drury’s legacy to a nonexistent clock seems appropriate.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. But a nonexistent clock is right about as often as Drury.
- Not It - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:08 am:
I counted 18 references to himself.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:19 am:
=no fans of reform here==
Dont know how long you’ve been coming to the page, but there are quite a few who have been commenting for years on various reform proposals. They state their cases well, even if I happen to disagree.
Btw- getting in w Dunkin was hardly indicative of reform. I noticed Drury forgot to mention Ken Dunkn in his email. Oops
- NotD - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:31 am:
I hope Bob Morgan (Drury’s replacement) starts every floor speech with “Even though I’m NOT a former federal prosecutor…”
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:41 am:
I think many Dem members would take issue w his description of it being only him taking on Anita Alvarez. Especially the BC.
- efudd - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:52 am:
I certainly hope the mere mortals that Mr. Drury comes in contact with appreciate the blessing they have received.
- efudd - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:55 am:
“they tried to get things done”
No, they didn’t. Ives would have a hard time passing her right-winged agenda in Mississippi.
Drury quite simply believes the sun rises and sets in his you-know-what.
- I Miss Bentohs - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 11:55 am:
I like it when politicians are not self-serving.
(Of course I like it better when they become ex-politicians as he and Rauner seem to have learned nothing.)
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 12:00 pm:
====Not a surprise that readers here are not fans of reform.====
I don’t want Illinois to turn into Kansas if that is what you mean.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 12:26 pm:
===without Drury and Ives around===
Skillicorn is still around.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 12:42 pm:
And he was MIA/AWOL/ Absent on his last day. Wonder if there a refund check?
- Uncle Ernie - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 12:53 pm:
In three months will anyone remember Drury?
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 3:02 pm:
Word- of course not! Only Michael Madigan could keep the remaining Democrats in line and prevent capitulation to Rauner - but for Speaker Madigan you’d have seen Drury’s left and right. I shudder to think of what would have happened if a reform-minded Dem had served as speaker during these times.
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 3:05 pm:
I’m sure when people hear the name Scott Drury they will think of this legacy. Not “who is Scott Drury?”
- Mr. Know-it-All - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 3:07 pm:
But can you end the shutdown, sir?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 3:08 pm:
===I shudder to think of what would have happened if a reform-minded Dem had served as speaker during these times.===
LOL
The ball game was to crush labor and Rauner would agree to raise taxes.
You know this. Why pretend you don’t know. Reforms revolves around the give of crushing collective bargaining and prevailing wage.
You being willfully ignorant?
- Unknown - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 3:12 pm:
It would have been nice if he showed up this week.
- SaulGoodman - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 3:53 pm:
**on my own terms**
By losing a statewide primary?
- DeseDemDose - Tuesday, Jan 8, 19 @ 5:09 pm:
Coockoo.