* Wow…
After eight successful years in the Illinois Senate representing the 48th District and more than 22 years in public office, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced today that he will be resigning from the Illinois Senate on January 17, 2021.
Manar was first elected to the Bunker Hill City Council at the age of 21 in 1997. He was elected Mayor of Bunker Hill in 2001 and Chaired the Macoupin County Board until his election to the Illinois Senate in 2012.
During his tenure in the Senate, Manar passed numerous consequential laws that will have an impact on hardworking Illinois families for generations. Some highlights include Automatic Voter Registration, a statewide minimum wage for teachers, elimination of police ticket quotas, capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $100 per month, and the first ever regulation of pharmacy benefit managers. Manar was a vocal supporter of labor unions, voting rights, access to affordable health care, teachers, and the LGBTQ community.
But, the most defining piece of legislation championed by Manar was school funding reform. For decades, Illinois was the worst-ranked state for its contribution to school funding—driving local property taxes higher every year and leaving students in low-income districts at a serious disadvantage. Over the course of four years, Manar held hundreds of town halls and public meetings across the state and overcame a veto by former Gov. Bruce Rauner to establish the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act. For the first time in a generation, Illinois now puts the most underfunded schools and children living in poverty at the front of the funding line, making equity the foundation of public school funding, which now serves as a model for the country.
Amy Ballinger-Cole of Advance Illinois said of the 2017 overhaul, “He basically picked a fight that no one else wanted to touch. The fact that he got it done in this political environment is nothing short of a miracle.”
As Chair of Senate Appropriations II Committee, Manar delivered millions of dollars in infrastructure investment for parks, libraries, schools, and roads for the communities of the 48th District. Manar also directed state resources to new programs to help develop the area’s workforce, including millions of dollars in funding for the Work Skills Program at Richland Community College in Decatur, for the South Macoupin Consortium for Innovation and Career Pathways serving students in six high schools, to construct the new South Central Illinois Regional Workforce Training & Innovation Center in Litchfield, and for the Golden Apple Teacher Accelerators program at Blackburn College in Carlinville. Manar also created the first ever statewide Critical Access Pharmacy program to help keep small, independent pharmacists operating in underserved and rural communities.
Manar was the recipient of dozens of awards and recognitions during his tenure in the Illinois Senate, including the Dawn Clark Netsch ”Straight Talk” Award from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Common Cause Champion of Democracy, Rural Legislator of the Year from the Illinois Hospital Association, The President’s Award from the Faith Coalition for the Common Good, Vince Demuzio Legislator of the Year from the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies, 2019 Illinois Education Association Friend of Education, and 2016 Wall of Honor inductee at Bunker Hill High School.
Senator Manar has issued the following statement in relation to the announcement:
“Today, my heart is full with gratitude to the people of my hometown of Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, and the 48th Legislative District for giving me — the son of small town, blue-collar parents – the opportunity to serve half my life in public office and to leave my mark on the state that I love.
“On January 17, I will resign from the Illinois Senate. I will cherish the friendships I forged as we accomplished meaningful change together over the past eight years. I will always appreciate the truly unique diversity of the small towns and urban neighborhoods of the 48th District. While serving communities with people from all walks of life was often challenging, it brought me great joy to see firsthand what unites us and to then bring that perspective to Springfield to take on big issues. I’m proud to say we did that together and along the way improved life for everyone in this state.
“Trista and our children — now teens — have only known me as a husband and father who also carries the responsibility of serving as an elected official. They have never known a day otherwise. The time has come for someone new to take up the call in the Illinois Senate. Central Illinois is full of outstanding individuals ready to step forward to meet the challenge — be an agent of change in Downstate Illinois.
“After more than 22 years of public service, I realize this: I got more out of it than I gave it, and I gave it all I had each and every day. I remain forever grateful to my hometown of Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, and the people of the 48th District for giving me the opportunity time and again to serve.”
A replacement to fill the vacancy in the 48th Legislative District will be chosen by the Democratic Party Chairs in Christian, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, and Sangamon Counties.
Manar and his family will remain in Bunker Hill, three blocks from his childhood home.
…Adding… I’m hearing he’s going to the administration.
*** UPDATE 1 *** And here it is…
Governor JB Pritzker announced that Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) will join his administration to serve as senior advisor, bringing a wealth of experience and accomplishments on vital issues in Illinois.
“Andy has been one of the most thoughtful and successful lawmakers of his generation, and he will be a trusted advisor,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In his career, Andy has done so much to improve the lives of working families. He led the effort to reform the state’s antiquated education funding formula, made insulin cheaper for the millions who depend upon it, led efforts to reform election laws, and oversaw the appropriations committee during truly challenging times. Any one of those accomplishments would be hailed as a career capstone, and Andy has too many to name. I value his insights and look forward to him joining my administration as we overcome this pandemic and rebuild Illinois together.”
“Andy is a fiercely devoted public servant with an enviable track record in the legislature. His counsel and friendship have been invaluable over the last two years,” said Chief of Staff Anne Caprara. “We are elated that he will be serving alongside this team as we face the challenges of the coming years. He is someone who has always put the needs of the state and its people front and center, and I am thrilled to have him serve in the Governor’s office.”
Manar will begin the role on January 19, 2021, shortly after he steps down from the Illinois Senate. He will work closely with the governor on his agenda and key priorities. Because of the breadth of Manar’s policy background, he will advise the governor on a range of issues, including downstate economic revitalization, appropriations, and COVID-19 recovery efforts.
“Illinois faces so many challenges, and I look forward to taking on these challenges from the executive branch,” Senator Manar said. “Governor Pritzker has shown tremendous leadership in the most grave crisis this state has experienced in our lifetime, and I’m honored to share what I’ve learned to advance his agenda to rebuild our state and stand up for working families.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Senate President Don Harmon…
It’s hard to imagine the Illinois Senate without Andy Manar. He’s been a guiding force for so many lawmakers on so many issues, first as a chief of staff and then as a Senate colleague. He’s compiled a lifetime of achievements in what is still a very young career. Atop that list would be the education funding overhaul he led that sets our state on a course for fundamental education fairness, equity and excellence. Andy’s been my friend and an invaluable sounding board since my first days in the Senate, and I’m grateful that our friendship is even stronger today. The governor is very lucky to have him. I wish Andy all the very best in his new role.
…Adding… The lay of the land…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:43 pm:
This is huge to downstate Illinois and downstate Illinois Dems.
Wow.
- Concerned Dem - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:43 pm:
Senator Manar will be sorely missed, but I hope he’s on to bigger and better things.
- Nick - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
That’s not something I expected to wake you to.
Big loss for downstate Dems.
- The Captain - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
I’ll be shocked if the Gov’s office doesn’t announce his hiring shortly.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:46 pm:
So a federal appointment?
Let’s hope it’s a federal appointment.
- Austinman - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:46 pm:
He has been an excellent Senator and did well representing Central Illinois. I’ve known him since he worked for the Senate he will be greatly missed but I wish him nothing but finer things and a successful and blessed future
- DuPageDominac - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:48 pm:
I wonder if it’s cuz he’s seen writing on the wall for Downstate Democrats in his area. Avery Bourne won her race 70-30 over Chase Wilhelm. Sue Scherer won by 7 points. Macoupin County Board went R first time since 1969. Sad loss for downstate Democrats and Illinois in general. He is definitely one of the more honest ones. Hopefully he can run statewide someday
- Gohawks123 - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:51 pm:
2021 off to a hot start in Illinois Politics
- Olive Garden - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:53 pm:
Senator Scherer has a nice ring to it!
- NIU Grad - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:55 pm:
Quite a surprise. I wonder if this is a permanent end to his political career, or a new beginning?
- DuPageDominac - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:57 pm:
Any ideas of good successors?
- dbk - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:58 pm:
That’s an outstanding start to new appointments by the Gov. Let’s hope it’s an omen of more fine appointments to come.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
Congratulations to the governor for a great addition to his administration.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
Manar was all ways headed up…I wish him well in any future public endeavor.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
Governor Pritzker is starting off the New Year with a great addition to his team.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
Great hire. Perfect hire.
Congratulations to the Pritzker Crew
- Suburban Operative - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:02 pm:
Hard to believe that Manar was a better COS for SDEMs than he was as an elected official for that area - and, don’t get me wrong, he was an excellent rep for that area. Having him in the Administration is a huge plus for Pritzker. Manar’s political instincts are second-to-none. He can get stuff done. Bad day for ILGOP.
- City Zen - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:03 pm:
I didn’t know East Jackson Street LLC was hiring.
- The Captain - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
In the Governor’s office a Senior Advisor is a role that sounds much better than it is, he should have held out for a Deputy Governor role.
Let’s say the Sr. Advisor wants to get anything done that involves spending, that’s going to happen at the agency level where all the funding exists. He’s going to have to convince the agency director who controls that funding to implement the plan, except that agency director doesn’t report to the Sr. Advisor, he/she reports to a Deputy Governor who reports to the Chief of Staff who reports to the Governor. The Sr. Advisor doesn’t become that agency director’s 2nd master, he becomes a subordinate one. For someone in the Governor’s office who is outside the chain of command to get anything done he’ll either need to get the Governor to direct everyone below him to do so or he’ll need to convince the agency director to do what he wants and then get the Deputy Governor responsible for that agency to agree. But if the Sr. Advisor and the Deputy Governor have a policy disagreement the Sr. Advisor is going to lose that argument unless the Governor intervenes each time, it’s a structurally weak position.
He should have held out for a Deputy Governor position. It’s not an accident that this administration’s first Sr. Advisor left after about a year and then the job was vacant for about a year.
- Almost the weekend - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
Excellent decision by Pritzker. I would guess Manar is now on top of the work flow chart.
- Bobby McGee - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
Why run for another term if you don’t intend to serve more than a couple of days? How is that a good thing for his district?
- So_Ill - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:05 pm:
Wow.
- Norseman - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:11 pm:
It’s a big loss for the Dems and a bigger loss for the State of Illinois. I don’t know of any Dem capable of stepping in Manar’s shoes.
IL is losing a leader when we need it the most.
- Arsenal - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:12 pm:
==In the Governor’s office a Senior Advisor is a role that sounds much better than it is, he should have held out for a Deputy Governor role.==
Depends on the LLC Sweetener cash.
- EyesWideOpen - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:13 pm:
Manar is like all downstate Democrats, they ultimately represent ChicagoLand, not their districts, and answer to Madigan & Co. overall, not their constituents.
- Linus - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:13 pm:
Great for the Administration. Bad for the G.A.
Manar is such a solid policymaker. He’ll be terribly missed under the dome.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:16 pm:
We are going to need a SR. advisor that oversees the 6% cuts . I think Andy is the right guy for this.
- historic66 - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:17 pm:
===Why run for another term if you don’t intend to serve more than a couple of days? How is that a good thing for his district?===
He wasn’t on the ballot in 2020. This seat’s term will be up in 2022.
- Scott Cross for President - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:19 pm:
Andy Manar has a public servant’s soul and a road map to Illinois state govt in his back pocket. Gonna be a tough year here but a little less so with Manar involved.
- pool boy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:22 pm:
Is his new job covered by the pension system? If not,I think it will very interesting to see if he applies for a state pension.
- UGH - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:23 pm:
Eyes Wide Open - you clearly didn’t witness Senator Manar fight for downstate rural school districts when it came to school funding - 5 plus years. Take a poll of downstate superintendents that were close to that legislation. I’m guessing you will hear, he’s their hero. Just because he doesn’t agree with his constituents on every social issue, and he understands Chicago better than some downstaters, thanks to knowing and admiring people that have grown up there and lived there, does not make him any less of a fighter for gains for downstate in every way he could get them.
- Sweet Tea - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:23 pm:
.*This seat’s term will be up in 2022.*
Perfect timing for Avery to waltz on in to that seat in 2022.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
=== they ultimately represent ChicagoLand, not their districts===
Welp, when huge deep cuts downstate occur, the tax eater area of Illinois, you can thank the Raunerites, Manar will be long gone.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:25 pm:
===you clearly didn’t witness===
It’s willful ignorance.
It’s tough being angry and rural.
- Emerging lurker - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:31 pm:
==In the Governor’s office a Senior Advisor is a role that sounds much better than it is, he should have held out for a Deputy Governor role.==
Agreed, Senior Advisor takes the scraps of issues not picked up by other senior staff. Maybe with Manar it will be different with his background and relationships. Gov. must have made some strong commitments about his role to get him on board, as Manar surely knows what The Captain laid out.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:33 pm:
So how many politicians including judges just had the itch to retire but decided to wait till new year for that pension boost?
It is what it is. Allowed so I don’t blame them.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:34 pm:
===decided to wait till new year for that pension boost?===
Manar did not enroll in GARS.
- Kathy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:40 pm:
Smart move by Senator Manar - especially if the 19 House members opposing the Speaker delay redistricting and force a Commission to draw the new map.
- Quibbler - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:45 pm:
He voted no on the Reproductive Health Act. It’s disturbing that Pritzker would select an anti-choicer for a senior advisor.
- Buzz McCallister - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:46 pm:
Good riddance. Andy Manar never understood his constituency is the residents in his district and not public employee unions. None of the accomplishments mentioned really benefit his district directly.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:48 pm:
A title doesn’t define role nor power. My hope is that Manar does what he’s always done - get things done. This Administration has too long relied on people with titles to run things operationally who’ve not been effective.
- west wing - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:49 pm:
Big loss for Downstate Democrats whose numbers of elected legislators slowly shrinks and those left standing deserve combat pay for trying to help the party brand. While the North side reps are attending the cocktail parties, downstaters like Manar are constantly doing outreach at the VFW Halls and the small town meetings. Legislators should have to swap districts to understand each other better. Great pick up for the Pritzker Team.
- So_Ill - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:50 pm:
==- Buzz McCallister - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:46 pm:
Good riddance. Andy Manar never understood his constituency is the residents in his district and not public employee unions. None of the accomplishments mentioned really benefit his district directly.==
So was his constituency too stupid to vote for someone else three different times?
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:52 pm:
Buzz I can tell you never served as an agency Legislative Liaison and been summoned to his office to chat with him in front of an AFSCME employee he is going to bat for. You might say it wasn’t always to take the side of the agency you represent and that is putting it mildly .
- Mama - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:07 pm:
Illinois Senator Andy Manar will be missed in his as the Senator for Central IL. Congratulations to Senator Manar on his promotion as the governor’s senior advisor.
- Laura From Cairo - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:27 pm:
-It’s tough being angry and rural-
People who make generalizations about entire populations usually are the bigots.
- UGH - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:29 pm:
- Buzz McCallister - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 1:46 pm:
Good riddance. Andy Manar never understood his constituency is the residents in his district and not public employee unions.
You’re going to need to explain this to the superintendents in his area as well as the constituents that continue to support him. Did he lose an election, and I just missed it? Come on.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:32 pm:
Oh - Laura From Cairo -, lol
=== they ultimately represent ChicagoLand, not their districts===
I can *hear*… the “She-Caw-Go-Land”… lol
=== answer to Madigan & Co. overall, not their constituents.===
Dunno, sounds angry and rural…
:)
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:48 pm:
=== It’s quite clear===
… snowflakes that blame everything on She-Caw-Go, or “Democrat”, it’s been tough on them.
The Eastern Bloc brand is predicated on… a 51st state.
It’s tiring. Enough.
Manar is a fine public servant, a better man to boot… and served the state AND his district specifically incredibly well, and while it’s a loss to his district and the state senate, what a great hire fir the governor and that crew.
The angry are those opining, not to Manar, but to “ChicagoLand” and “Madigan”
Geez Louise.
- Kayak - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
Heavens to Betsy
- The Dude Abides - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:51 pm:
I just wish Andy Manar the best of luck working for the Prizker Administration. Andy was always one of the smartest men in the room.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:51 pm:
The spamming here, at me, is sad.
How about focusing on the hire that does matter, a good one in Manar.
- JS Mill - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:55 pm:
Having talked with Senator Manar on several occasions I have always thought he was smart and very articulate. I was never clear as to whether he was doing what he thought was right or what was politically expedient especially when it came to school finance reform.
The school finance reform has been much celebrated, but it turned out to be much less of a breakthrough and a lot more of the same old same old then many thought.
That said, I wish him well.
- Reka - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:56 pm:
The Democratic party brown noser is never spammed . He’s just appreciated for the fine work he does for the party.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 2:57 pm:
==It’s disturbing that Pritzker would select an anti-choicer for a senior advisor.==
Ahh. The old one-issue wonders who like to put that litmus test out there to determine who is worthy. Grow up.
- JS Mill - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:05 pm:
=Senator Manar fight for downstate rural school districts when it came to school funding - 5 plus years. Take a poll of downstate superintendents that were close to that legislation. I’m guessing you will hear, he’s their hero.=
Speaking as a rural and somewhat central Illinois superintendent…Um, no he is not “their” hero. He may be to some, especially those that did not understand what the “reform” actually did.
I am not saying he is a bad guy. He got something done. Benefits to rural schools were/are nominal for most. Unless the district is a high poverty district. There is a lot of nuance here so tough to explain to people not directly involved in school finance.
He did get something done at a time when it was nearly impossible and I credit him for that, it just wasn’t that different that different from what was in place already, at least in practice. It was a very watered down version of the EBF concept. More money to CPS.
- Payback - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:12 pm:
“…elimination of police ticket quotas…” I didn’t know that Sen. Manar was the sponsor of the bill eliminating traffic ticket quotas, so hats off to him for that public service.
If I remember correctly, former Lee County Sheriff Tim Bivens was the -one- vote against eliminating ticket quotas in the general assembly, demonstrating once again that the police cannot police themselves, and that a cop is always a cop.
- Shytown - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:18 pm:
Good for Andy! Not a better person serving in the GA today. It’s a big gain for all of Illinois.
- Boone's is Back - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:31 pm:
Best of luck to Sen. Manar. He is a class act and a policy hawk. I wish him well on his next endeavor.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:05 pm:
Andy is very popular in south-central Illinois. As a SR. Advisor I understand one of his first jobs will to travel downstate and remove the numerous Pritzker yard signs still in place.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
Sen. Manar has been a champion of working women and men in Illinois, and of their unions, in the face of attacks by very rich people, namely the former governor and his allies. Much thanks for that.
- Dave W - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:24 pm:
Is Andy still going to remain on the payroll for The Horinko Group? Or is Durbin planning to slide one of his other people into Manar’s slot?
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:30 pm:
DaveW. Magnificent.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:37 pm:
This fills a gaping hole in the Pritzker special teams since Budzinski left.
Informally, Manar has been Pritzker’s guy in the legislature and for downstate for awhile. Will he report to Caprara or have a direct line to JB is my big question.
As a senator, he could offer JB an honest outside persoective. he also had real authority in the Senate and within the caucus.
As senior advisor, he will have a wider reach on policy but a weaker hold on the outcome.
If he shines, he becomes the obvious successor to Caprara if she leaves in a second term.
In the short term, there is potential for serious conflict between Caprara, Manar and Mitchell. Conflict is actually inevitable and probably a necessary thing, but we shall see how they handle it.
It seemed Caprara and Budzinski did not part well.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:53 pm:
DaveW. Is there any relationship between THG(Horinko group) and any Illinois nuclear power plants?
- Ummmm... - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:54 pm:
@Thomas Paine- you literally have no idea what you are talking about. Caprara has been a long time advocate of bringing Manar into the Pritzker fold. Caprara and Budzinski also have a good relationship and parted on good terms. Manar has had a long-time friendship with Mitchell and will fit in well with the Pritzker crew. Please get the facts straight.
- fs - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 5:00 pm:
== he also had real authority in the Senate and within the caucus.==
*had*, past tense, I think being the key word there.
- Essential State Employee - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 5:35 pm:
==Any ideas of good successors?==
Could Gary Hannig be a possibility to finish out Manar’s upcoming term?
- Under the Dome - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 6:25 pm:
The weight of the Macon County vote would almost surely mean that Representative Scherer will follow the pattern of late and move over to the Senate. However, an interesting candidate might be former Montgomery County State’s Attorney Bryant Hitchings. He’s relatively young (I believe he turns 37 this week), by political standards, but would come to the table with both experience in the political world and the same rural background which Senator Manar brought out of Bunker Hill. You’ve got to believe that Representative Bourne and her husband began planning a 48th District Senate run the moment that Manar’s news came out. A Hitchings vs. Bourne small-town Montgomery County background battle next year would be interesting.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 6:29 pm:
@Ummm….
A senior advisor’s job is to advise, and offer a different viewpoint than the Chief of Staff. A senior advisor who always agrees with the chief of staff is pointless.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 6:32 pm:
==You’ve got to believe that Representative Bourne and her husband began planning a 48th District Senate run the moment that Manar’s news came out. A Hitchings vs. Bourne small-town Montgomery County background battle next year would be interesting.==
Unless Bourne gets remapped out of the 48th Senate. And instead mapped into Elik, Davidsmeyer or even into Springfield and Murphy’s seat.
I say Bourne and Davidsmeyer are the most likely to be remapped together in 2022–and if so I will say that new district will include southern Sangamon County, including here in Chatham. But not Springfield.
- Illini - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 6:35 pm:
@Under the Dome
There would be new maps come 2022. I think the 48 will be chopped up and there will be a more Springfield-Decatur area based seat in place.
- Southern Dude - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 6:38 pm:
Nothing against Manar, but only in Illinois does a Governor threaten budgets cuts only to turn around and create a patronage job.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 7:00 pm:
==There would be new maps come 2022. I think the 48 will be chopped up and there will be a more Springfield-Decatur area based seat in place.==
Most likely the Springfield-Decatur alignment stays for the Senate (and maybe throw in Taylorville and possibly the Hispanic vote potential in Beardstown too). But for the House I see separate Springfield (Butler/Murphy mapped together) and Decatur-based (Scherer) seats after the remap.
With rural/suburban parts of the 50th and 48th in Sangamon (Chatham, Rochester, maybe even Jacksonville) merged together into a new Senate seat reminiscent of the Demuzio era (but much more R leaning).
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 8:18 pm:
==But for the House I see separate Springfield (Butler/Murphy mapped together)==
To elaborate further on that point, if that happens I see one of the two Springfield R’s stepping down from the GA after the remap rather than being primaried together. And that same day announcing that he will challenge Jim Langfelder for Springfield Mayor in 2023 (if he runs for a 3rd term). If so I say most likely Murphy runs for Mayor in this scenario, especially making an issue of Langfelder’s handling of the restaurant closures (Murphy used to own Charlie Parker’s Diner).
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 8:20 pm:
==Heavens to Betsy==
Only if she lives in the current 48th Senate. If she lives in the 50th she would have to challenge McClure in the 2022 general (if they’re still mapped together).
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 8:24 pm:
===if that happens I see one of the two Springfield R’s stepping down from the GA after the remap rather than being primaried together.===
I have enjoyed this walk around the barn, clarified points and all, but *now* you have a member “walking away”… before the map is even drawn, known, understood… you may wanna tell that member now CarNac… also tell them the weather on that day, and the lottery numbers too.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 8:25 pm:
=== Only if she lives in the current 48th Senate. If she lives in the 50th she would have to challenge McClure in the 2022 general (if they’re still mapped together).===
You are aware of the resident rules during the remap and first election after, correct?
How would that apply here?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 8:33 pm:
I’ll help;
“(c) To be eligible to serve as a member of the General
Assembly, a person must be a United States citizen, at least
21 years old, and for the two years preceding his election or
appointment a resident of the district which he is to
represent. In the general election following a redistricting,
a candidate for the General Assembly may be elected from
any district which contains a part of the district in which he
resided at the time of the redistricting and reelected if a
resident of the new district he represents for 18 months
prior to reelection.”
- Article IV, Section 2… Illinois Constitution
- Under the Dome - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 8:44 pm:
I don’t think Butler will be the 87th House Representative for much longer. I would be surprised if he wasn’t appointed to fill Bill Brady’s seat.
- Blago’s Hare - Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 9:30 pm:
J.S. Mill hits the nail on the head. Some superintendents in Manar’s district think he can do no wrong and continue to sing the praises of EBF while ignoring the reality that no matter what the funding source is, or the funding formula, the truth is, one cannot fund schools without funds.