* House Speaker Michael Madigan was unsurprisingly reelected today, with, as expected, Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) voting “Present.”
He began his remarks by asking for prayers for former House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who checked herself into the hospital on the way home to Chicago yesterday with a bad case of pneumonia.
Madigan then launched into a litany of complaints about Gov. Rauner’s one term in office. The following are individual tweets from the House Democrats’ account which excerpted his speech…
On Jan. 14, 2015, I stood before you and pledged to work cooperatively and professionally w/ Gov. Rauner. That was four long years ago.
Four long years of character assassination, personal vilification and strident negotiation positions which hurt our state government and led to inaction for the people of Illinois.
Since then, Illinois suffered through a three year budget impasse. Some may say “We made it through the budget impasse” or “our organization got its money,” but others were not so fortunate.
If you were an Illinoisan depending on funding for Autism services, breast cancer screenings, child abuse prevention or services for survivors of sexual assault, you became a victim of the budget
In America and in Illinois, government is people working with people. Sometimes they agree and other times they disagree.
Where people disagree, if they are reasonable, they talk to each other, exchange ideas, negotiate in good faith, and attempt to find common ground. For the last four years, this didn’t happen. Instead we simply got a series of ultimatums.
Illinois has serious problems. A significant budget imbalance and a debt load that is far too high. This impairs our ability to properly support areas such as education, infrastructure maintenance and improvement, and many others.
To solve these problems people need to work with people. Some may say to just ‘put an end to the last four years’ or ‘close the book.’
But, let me suggest we move beyond these last four years and not just close the book. Rather, let’s close one chapter and take lessons, so we can move on to a new chapter where people work with people.
Speaker Madigan did not announce his new leadership team.
* House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s speech was mostly upbeat. From the HGOP’s Twitter account…
Following the oaths of office… each one of us will be charged with representing the interests and welfare of 108,000 Illinoisans.
That oath is solemn and has meaning. Deep meaning.
I implore you to embrace this historic moment with the best you can offer.
Durkin quotes his friend, the late US Senator John McCain. …there is “much more than unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, an association that means more to me than any other.”
The same can be said about us, my fellow Illinoisans
Today is a day for celebrating and unifying.
This is our state’s 5th year in a row of population loss and will once again lead to diminished influence and a loss of congressional representation.
It also means a loss of taxpayers.
With this new General Assembly, and a new Governor I am optimistic that for once for many, many years, we can put politics aside.
Leader Durkin is outlining what the House Republicans stand for… reform of our state’s regressive property tax system… creating efficiency in our pension systems, by reducing costs and making the systems sustainable for members and taxpayers… balancing the budget by weighing spending demands with fiscal realities… enhancing our weak business climate to bring real sustainable jobs back to our state… getting career gun criminals off our streets.
I have never let the R or D next to a representative’s name impact what I think about their district or constituents and I hope you do the same.
The time for a new direction starts today.
…as former Governor Thompson implored, we can be a “Great” Assembly… that works through the many challenges we face to take Illinois in a new direction.
Durkin ended by saying, “My door is always open. My hope is yours will be, too.”
…Adding… She’s gonna get a lot of press coverage…
- Brendan - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 1:49 pm:
#translation No more Trump like republicans holding the state hostage. Let’s fix things and actually BE the great state we know we are.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 1:51 pm:
===On Jan. 14, 2015, I stood before you and pledged to work cooperatively and professionally w/ Gov. Rauner. That was four long years ago.
Four long years of character assassination, personal vilification and strident negotiation positions which hurt our state government and led to inaction for the people of Illinois.
Since then, Illinois suffered through a three year budget impasse. Some may say “We made it through the budget impasse” or “our organization got its money,” but others were not so fortunate.
If you were an Illinoisan depending on funding for Autism services, breast cancer screenings, child abuse prevention or services for survivors of sexual assault, you became a victim of the budget.===
Madigan isn’t wrong here.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 1:53 pm:
Let’s be serious- in January 2015 Madigan decided he would wait out Rauner’s term no matter the damage to the State. Madigan succeededas we were all punished. Rauner proved to be an amateur but let’s not believe for a moment that Madigan was embracing Rauner with open arms. Unlike McConnell who openly stated his mission was to make Obama a one term president. Madigan was silent but accomplished in holding off Rauner for 4 years. Let’s see how open he is to JB since we. Ok know there is room for only one ruler in Madiganstan
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 1:54 pm:
Leader Durkin,
I’m with you, work in that bipartisan way and you will keep me where Rauner lost me.
I look forward to seeing you and the caucus address the openness to get to that Reagan Rule tent, to be Beaubien and Murphy… to be Petersen and Mulligan.
Be that leader I know you are.
Be well.
OW
- A 400lb. Guy on a bed - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 1:54 pm:
Now if only we could get that on a federal level.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 1:56 pm:
That “present” vote sure took courage. Wow, she’s clearly ready to take on Senator Durbin. /snark/
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:00 pm:
===That “present” vote sure took courage===
She had four options: 1) Vote for Madigan; 2) Vote for Durkin; 3) Vote “Present”; 4) Not vote.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:00 pm:
All best wishes for a speedy recovery to Barbara Flynn Currie. A great representative and even better person.
- Duopoly - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:04 pm:
Leader Durkin,
Please include some semblance of math and facts when you formulate positions.
I look forward to seeing you tell the truth that tax revenues are used to pay the state’s debts and increases in such revenues can result in reducing an unconscionable backlog of such debts. I hope you address the lying you have engaged in where you claim that increase revenues have not resulted in any corresponding reduction to the state’s indebtedness. Please recognize that paying bills should not be derided as lavish “new spending”.
Don’t be the liar that know you are.
Be well. - There, fixed it.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:10 pm:
Rich yes, I thought that through after I hit “Say it.” For some reason, I had believed there were other options.
For the rest of the year, I resolve to think things through BEFORE hitting that button.
My bad.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:21 pm:
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:00 pm:
Surprised she didn’t put her own name in nomination, lol.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:24 pm:
===Surprised she didn’t put her own name in nomination===
She tried to convince someone else to run against him. No luck.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:34 pm:
===She tried to convince someone else to run against him. No luck===
Isn’t this considered harassment?
- A Jack - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:46 pm:
“She is going to get a lot of press coverage….”.
From the look of her outfit, likely from the fashion press.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 2:50 pm:
===Her reason: she couldn’t vote for a leader who condoned inappropriate sexual behavior in his office.===
But…Scott Drury
- OneMan - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 3:36 pm:
A new chapter where people work with people.
Unless you are not going to vote for me for speaker then I am going to have all sorts of pressure applied to you.
I don’t seem to recall him working too great with the last two Democratic governors, we will see how things go with JB.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 3:37 pm:
===then I am going to have all sorts of pressure applied to you===
A few phone calls from female legislators is not exactly “all sorts of pressure.”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 3:39 pm:
===I don’t seem to recall him working too great with the last two Democratic governors===
Rod and Quinn. That sample size is left wanting, no matter the Speaker.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 3:40 pm:
What is in the water at Dartmouth? Jeez
Anne Stava-Murray, Bruce Rauner
It’s gotta be the water
- Metoo - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:00 pm:
Hoping for a speedy recovery for Barbara Flynn Currie. I’m am however extremely upset at how she bullied and harassed the Honorable State Representative Anne Stava-Murray.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:14 pm:
I suspect a few phone calls from legislators was not the only pressure she received.
==Rod and Quinn. That sample size is left wanting, no matter the Speaker. ==
How did he do with Dan Walker?
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:19 pm:
She voted present and got exactly zero collegues to follow her in that vote. Good for her. She kept a campaign promise.
Beyond that though, big deal. Same result. One less vote.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:24 pm:
Rep. Stava-Murray will score big points for me if she votes yes to legalize marijuana and for a progressive income tax.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:24 pm:
===How did he do with Dan Walker?===
*Was* MJM Speaker during Walker’s term?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:34 pm:
Same old Democratic party in Illinois, with the same leadership. Here we go again.
- Back to the Mountains - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:43 pm:
Can this post be updated if/when she does not get a ceremonial desk clock?
- Arock - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:53 pm:
Keep doing stupid things like keeping this man as Speaker and then wonder why the State is in the shape it is in? His slogan should be how he ‘works over the people’ not with or for the people.
- Duopoly - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 4:57 pm:
=Madigan: “Move on to a new chapter where people work with people”=
The Speaker knows that; people who need people are the luckiest people in the world…
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 5:01 pm:
wasnt Robert Blair speaker when Dan Walker was governor?
- Southwest Sider - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 5:12 pm:
I find it interesting that Madigan was rather silent during his “character assassination” over the last four years. But he speaks now. It was a good speech because it acknowledges the State’s problems. I’m hopeful that the next four years produces a harmonious government while especially addressing our problems which is resulting in our State losing population, business opportunities and tax revenue.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 5:21 pm:
“Where people work with people…”
Such as a Burger King drive-thru.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 5:37 pm:
ASM does not remotely live up to her initials.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 9, 19 @ 7:29 pm:
I thought both Madigan and Durkin were sober and reasonable.
My hope is the rejection by the voters of the insecure, egomaniac bully of the executive branch will lead to more light and less heat throughout the Dome.
JB seems comfortable in his own skin, not looking to prove himself a tough guy.
BTW, real Tough Guys don’t have the need to prove themselves; it’s understood. Just don’t mistake kindness for weakness.
Stava-Murray was elected fair and square and marches to her own drummer. Salud.
But I think I’m going to tune into actions and not words in the coming months. Lot of hard work for incremental progress ahead.
But who said anything was supposed to be easy?