* This is huge…

Yes, she represents the suburbs, including part of DuPage. But she’s a member of leadership and has strong union ties. I’m pretty stunned by this development.

* The list…

Jonathan Carroll
Kelly Cassidy
Deb Conroy
Margaret Croke
Eva-Dina Delgado
Daniel Didech
Robyn Gabel
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Will Guzzardi
Terra Costa Howard
Stephanie Kifowit
Lindsey LaPointe
Anna Moeller
Bob Morgan
Anne Stava-Murray
Maurice West
Ann M. Williams
Kathleen Willis
Sam Yingling

…Adding… From Rep. Deb Conroy…

The idea that because after many nights of losing sleep you came to the decision that you can not support the current Speaker means you are not a loyal union supporter is ludicrous. I am from a union family and I will always support union families. We are the strongest union state in the 50 and we will continue to be going forward. Thank you Representative Willis for your leadership and bravery.

       

80 Comments - Left of the Lake - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:24 pm: Maybe possible pre-requisite to announcing she’s looking for the top spot? - The Captain - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:24 pm: Ok, so taking out Skip was a mistake. - Are Ya Kiddin’ Me? - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:25 pm: Drip, Drip, Drip….. - Osborne Smith III - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:27 pm: That’s the ballgame. If it wasn’t going to be VERY difficult for MJM to flip five or more members before, I think it’s going to be impossible now. Rep Willis just provided cover for a bunch more to come out in advance with their “no” votes. - 5300 North - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:30 pm: Gradually, then suddenly… - Twinkie Man - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:31 pm: Thank you, Rep. Willis! It’s admirable to you stood up to change and for fresh leadership. Status quo can only ‘corrupt the soul’ if too much power is amassed. (Respectfully speaking) - Wizzard of Ozzie - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:32 pm: She is only an elected official because the Speaker’s staff recruited her and poured tremendous resources into electing her (remember Sen. Sandoval’s hissy fit to disrupt a joint appearance?). She has been a loyal vote the Speaker and part of his campaign fund laundering process. I think this is going to be the opening of the floodgates. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:32 pm: This is a stunner, if this was going to happen with her specifically I’d say it woulda been after the 18 signatures were under one letter… but, wow. Form the “New Day Caucus”, have the 19 speak as one, then process forward. This development makes those next moves a bit easier? Dunno. - Peoples Republic of Oak Park - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:34 pm: Not a single mention of labor in this letter. - Telly - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:34 pm: When is the last time you saw a House Dem (or any Dem for that matter) refer to him as “Representative Madigan?” - Hermosa - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:36 pm: *Not a single mention of labor in this letter.* And….? - Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:37 pm: whoa….. - NIU Grad - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:43 pm: “Not a single mention of labor in this letter.” Labor leaders should not have automatic priority above a legislator’s constituents. This lop-sided power balance is what has led the Speaker to this point. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:44 pm: DPI has done great in spite of the never-ending attacks on Madigan. Still, it must be a drag to try to campaign and govern attached to Chicago Machine baggage, always burdening the narrative. Democrats need to build the party on issues that matter to so many, as Rep. Willis indicates. Madigan will still get to serve as a legislator if/when he loses the Speakership. That’s a great privilege in and of itself. - low level - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:46 pm: This is stunning. Madigan pulled out all the stops to elect her and get rid of Skippy. Suburban reps must really be hearing it from constituents. - Decaturland - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:46 pm: Et tu, Brute. - Nick - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:47 pm: I imagine some people will still insist this is all smoke and mirrors until a ‘alternative is named.’ They’ll be shocked right up until the moment he finally bows out. - Nagidam - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:47 pm: ===*Not a single mention of labor in this letter.* And….?=== Follow Leader Willis’s career and you know she is a rather solid supporter of the labor unions…specifically AFFI. Labor and Trial Lawyers will have a rather large say in who the next Speaker is. Follow the money since campaign finance reform took place or even before. This is the real beginning of the end game for Rep. Madigan’s tenure as Speaker. History is being made today. - Chatham Resident - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:48 pm: When will her hometown media (WAND-17, Herald & Review) ask Sue Scherer whether or not she will vote to reelect Madigan as Speaker? - DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:48 pm: As Dandy Don Meredith used to croon “Turn out the lights, the party’s over…” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:49 pm: While it certainly can (and is) both, the idea that the favor of helping defeat Saviano is a one-sided transaction in favor of Willis is ignoring why Madigan helped Willis in the first place. Transactional politics works when all sides benefit. Willis ran, Saviano lost, Madigan and Willis both won. - This Just In - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:53 pm: Labor was solidly with Skip Saviano and worked very hard on his behalf when the Speaker decided to District Rep. Saviano out of the Legislature. The Speaker underwrote Willis when Labor was working against her initially (probably with their own $$$$, but they were boots on the ground for Saviano). This is huge . . . . - Twinkie Man - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:54 pm: Folks: the Madigan Titanic is sinking…while the violinists play in the background… - low level - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:55 pm: The last time I heard the words “Representative Madigan” was 1995-96. The fact she used that phrase is telling. - blue line - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:56 pm: Looks to me like labor sees the writing on the wall and they’re trying to ease madigan out of the way. smart move. - Responsa - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 12:57 pm: Even in politics loyalty only goes so far when reality bites. - Inverted Pyramid - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:06 pm: https://youtu.be/CtGxusvUT3k - Responsa - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:07 pm: ==Looks to me like labor sees the writing on the wall== I mean no disrespect, but outside of this blog I rarely even see the word “labor” written unless it’s an article about childbirth. - SpiDem - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:08 pm: Honest question — in her role as the current House Democratic Caucus Chair, how does that impact the eventual caucus meeting that the Speaker is pointing toward as his next play to stay in power? Is the post simply ceremonial, or does she preside over caucus? Outside of being a member of the leadership team to defect (which I agree is HUGE), is there additional impact? - Jimbooo - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:08 pm: And don’t forget that Pritzker appointed her husband to the IL Labor Relations Board 18 months ago, and I’m guessing Madigan had a hand in that appointment. So she is really turning her back on Madigan. - The Ford Lawyer - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:09 pm: and Decaturland, let’s not forget the words that follow “Et tu, Brute?” in Shakespeare’s play: “Then fall, Caesar!” Fall he will. It seems inevitable now. - TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:14 pm: What is the GOP going to do without madigan? I’d be interested to see Madigan step down, if for no other reason to see what the GOP pivots to as their next suddenly critical issue. Maybe they could work on that list of specific things to cut in the state budget now that the election is over. - Commisar Gritty - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:15 pm: Leader Willis is a force of nature in the legislature, and a great concensus builder. Also has that momma bear instinct when she needs it. I’m hoping she throws her hat in for Speaker, I think she’d be great in the role. - NIU Grad - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:16 pm: Judging by Rep. Conroy’s statement, I imagine everyone on this list is getting many, many calls from union leadership. - Chad - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:17 pm: This sure feels like the pulling of a plug. Even caused me to come out after a few years of “comment hibernation”. As an observer of the man for decades and as an opponent of much of his political and legislative work (including the energy bills), I still regret the reasons for his (apparent) decline. While his role may never be proved in criminal court, it is difficult for me to accept he did not understand what was being done in his name and that individuals were corruptly profiting. I had hoped he would be remembered as a brilliant political strategist — even if his tactics were often harsh. The disgrace of proximity to the coming Com Ed guilty pleas will be an unfortunate way for him to fade away. I wish he had retired from all of this back when McClain “retired” from lobbying. - Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:19 pm: Both Aspiration and Ambition begin with an A, eh? - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:20 pm: - TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:14 pm They’re going to continue to use Madigan as an attack line. Everyone that’s there now will be “Madigan connected” or “Took Madigan money” and on and on. If any of these 19 think that’s going away just because MJM isn’t Speaker than they are even more dense than thought. - Nick - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:21 pm: ===Looks to me like labor sees the writing on the wall and they’re trying to ease madigan out of the way. smart move.=== It was always really wishful thinking on the part of some to think Labor would go down with Madigan, or bring down the rest of the caucus for him out of spite. - King Louis XVI - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:23 pm: –This is stunning.– Actually, this is less surprising since Yingling came out against Madigan. Yingling and Willis are very, very close personally. Sam likely had a big influence here. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:28 pm: ==They’re going to continue to use Madigan as an attack line. Everyone that’s there now will be “Madigan connected” or “Took Madigan money” and on and on.== Well, good luck with that, but voters have awfully short memories. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:30 pm: My guess is that most of the Notable 19 aren’t thinking: “What will Republicans say about us when we run for re-election?” They’re thinking, “What’ll we do between now and when we run for re-election?” and finding the prospect of dealing with MJM’s issues the whole time pretty unappealing. - Etown - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:35 pm: I wonder how Rep. Madigan will enjoy his spacious new office in the Stratton Building - NIU Grad - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:37 pm: Etown - They should assign him an office right next to Rep. Stava-Murray. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:37 pm: ==new office in the Stratton=== I wouldn’t put him there. He could cause way too much trouble. I’d put him in a broom closet in the Capitol basement, I think. - Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:41 pm: There ought to be a statute of Speaker Madigan in the Capitol. I think we can all take a lot of pride that the nation’s longest serving legislative leader is from our states. Plus a statute of Barack Obama. And Miguel del Valle. But definitely one of Michael Madigan. We should all honor this incredible run of service, regardless of the politics of late 2020. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:42 pm: “They’re going to continue to use Madigan as an attack line.” Just like they call a moderate or centrist Democrat a socialist. There is a huge messaging void from Democrats, both here and nationally, to combat standard GOP tripe. DPI needs to modernize and have a messaging apparatus, not take phone calls on a pay phone. - Downstate - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:43 pm: “broom closet in the Capitol” And he won’t need wifi or cell service…… - NIU Grad - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:43 pm: Rich, the Capitol basement might still be a little too close to the House chamber… - dotcom - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:47 pm: Agree with Commissar, Willis is a natural at bringing stakeholders together and working through thorny issues. She’d be a good Speaker. - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:47 pm: - Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:28 pm: Nothing a few million in advertising can’t fix - @misterjayem - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:50 pm: Where does this move the over/under date for Our Friend stepping aside? – MrJM - Southern Belle - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:55 pm: Invisible Man The GOP all voted NO on the budget and are a super minority. They do not have to identify the cuts. The SUPER majority who passed a $5 bil out of whack budget has to find the cuts. Betting as usual the cuts won’t be in D districts. - Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 1:56 pm: Well I’m glad she consulted with her family, but what about her constituents? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:04 pm: === The SUPER majority who passed a $5 bil out of whack budget has to find the cuts. Betting as usual the cuts won’t be in D districts.=== If that’s your take… the cuts should be deep and heavy in downstate… the tax eaters of Illinois… closing DNR facilities, maybe a university, but make sure downstate feels massive and deep pain. :) Elections have consequences Or… the Republicans decide they’d like to show some cuts too. - AD - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:05 pm: === Where does this move the over/under date for Our Friend stepping aside?=== December 24, 4:30pm. - Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:17 pm: Mike Madigan took care of quite a few people along his way…including Himself…I would ask who didn’t?…honestly….Glass Houses/Stones…? - Dan Vock - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:17 pm: ==a broom closet in the Capitol basement== Where he could dish dirt to nearby reporters? - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:26 pm: ===nearby reporters? === What reporters? /s - Been There - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:33 pm: ======new office in the Stratton=== I wouldn’t put him there. He could cause way too much trouble. I’d put him in a broom closet in the Capitol basement, I think.===== Hey dont be giving away Lukings old office. And I am pretty sure the city has more seniority than even Madigan. I least I think they do. - Senator Clay Davis - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:35 pm: ==Maybe possible pre-requisite to announcing she’s looking for the top spot?== ==I’m hoping she throws her hat in for Speaker, I think she’d be great in the role.== The House of Cards explanation: Willis is a creation of Madigan. He plucked her out of obscurity on a suburban school board, bankrolled her initial campaign against Skip and every one since. She’s proven smart and loyal, and was rewarded her with the Caucus Chair position. Now Madigan sees the writing on the wall, knows he’s done. So he asks Willis to issue this statement and we all freak out about the “betrayal.” Then, she runs for speaker herself, with private support from Madigan. The New Day Caucus gets to claim victory and vote for someone that isn’t Madigan, and the Madigan loyalists get a competent, experienced leader endorsed by Himself. Then Speaker Willis installs Madigan as Majority Leader, and we can guess who is really in control. Like the Putin to her Medvedev. Just havin fun (sorta). - Been There - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:39 pm: ===Actually, this is less surprising since Yingling came out against Madigan. Yingling and Willis are very, very close personally. Sam likely had a big influence here.=== One of the biggest parts of her crossing the Rubicon here is that her job as one of Madigan leaders was to get reps like Yingling back in the fold. It looks like it went the other way. - walker - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:39 pm: Very significant. - L.A. - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:44 pm: I can’t imagine a situation where Speaker Madigan looses his speakership but continues to represent his district and participate in the legislative process with no hand in the cookie jar. If he does not start flipping votes (which at this point looks like a big impossibility), he will resign/retire. Can you really imagine him walking around the Capitol after loosing his speakership?? - Chatham Resident - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:45 pm: ======new office in the Stratton=== I wouldn’t put him there. He could cause way too much trouble. I’d put him in a broom closet in the Capitol basement, I think.===== Put him in one of the offices where the Rathskeller used to be. I don’t remember for sure, but maybe the Rathskeller once sold apples as part of their grab-and-go food? - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:45 pm: Thank you, Rep. Willis. May the rest of the caucus similarly come to see the light soon. Whatever MJM has done for the Dem caucus or labor in the past, he is an active hindrance to the success of the Dem caucus and labor going forward. MJM may not think it’s fair after his many years of service and success but too bad so sad. Politics doesn’t care about fair. Just finished watching the latest season of The Crown and was thinking about MJM in the scenes where Thatcher is desperately trying to come up with schemes to hang on as prime minister and consumed with bitterness at her former allies telling her it is time to move on. She comes across as so entitled in whining about her having to give up power when she had already had the longest run as British PM in the 20th century by staying in power more than a decade. Wild to think about Madigan having had the equivalent of 3 and a half Thatcher terms and it still not being enough for him. - Not a Billionaire - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 2:56 pm: To OW For downstate first ban trapping its cruel and could cause spillover. Get rid of the county fair money. And yes a University of 2 and prisons. - Denise - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 3:01 pm: So who is running against him? - Levois J - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 3:15 pm: And again who will replace the Speaker? Who will have the same pull he had? I don’t think he’s done for yet until they do the roll call. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 3:19 pm: ===Who will have the same pull he had?=== Nobody and that’s kind of the point. - SPSR - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 3:50 pm: ===There ought to be a statute of Speaker Madigan in the Capitol. I think we can all take a lot of pride that the nation’s longest serving legislative leader is from our state=== A state that is in financial ruines… - SAP - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 3:53 pm: That “Representative Madigan” thing caught my eye too. Wow. - Charlie Says - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 3:56 pm: and theses 19 are to be believed why oh yeah thats right they never ever lie - Sideline Watcher - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 3:57 pm: I think its really interesting that people honestly believe that only the Speaker can do the map. Or only the speaker can raise money. Or only the speaker can keep the caucus together. Sort of like we’ll never have a Black president. Until we did. As for labor…the one thing they are good at is protecting their interests. People should remember how livid they were when he rammed through tier 2 pension reform in literally 4 days or something. And then closed ranks during Rauner. If the next person is a labor supporter, he or she will have labor support. And we’ll get a map. And life will go on. I know its hard to imagine cuz its been like 100 years, but Springfield will still be exactly where it’s at with 118 members when Madigan realizes that he’s essentially the Democratic Trump. Thought the Me Too would take him out. Thought the ComEd bombshell would take him out. Nope…slow methodical drip drip of days passing and more people coming forward in advance of an election saying publicly they won’t vote for him. So what takes out Madigan? An election where he doesn’t have the votes. Oh the irony. - Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 4:10 pm: ===There ought to be a statute of Speaker Madigan in the Capitol. I think we can all take a lot of pride that the nation’s longest serving legislative leader is from our state=== It would belong in the secure storage site along with the recently moved statues of Douglas and Menard. - Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 4:24 pm: ===There ought to be a statute of Speaker Madigan in the Capitol.=== This is the age of removing monuments, not erecting them. - WH Mess - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 4:31 pm: I can’t imagine he stays. Assign him whatever office you want, but if he does show up I suspect he’d be quite welcome to spread out in 213, SoS suite. - AD - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 4:41 pm: === Nobody and that’s kind of the point.=== Thank you. I know it won’t happen, but get rid of the two party system also. It’d be nice to see people vote to represent the people they were elected to represent instead of their party. - Not for nothing - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 6:43 pm: With a take like that, Watcher, it’s no wonder you’re on the sideline. - The Dude - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 7:04 pm: So really at this point we should be talking about who is going to be there next. - John Lee Pettimore, III - Tuesday, Dec 1, 20 @ 7:35 pm: As a friend of mine said: “1) No one can beat Madigan. 2) Madigan can’t win. 3) Never rule Madigan out, however.” Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.