* Subscribers were told about this forum yesterday….
The House Democratic Women’s Caucus is holding a candidate forum on Wednesday for the speaker position. That statement sounds perfectly normal. But we all know this speaker’s race is anything but.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest-serving statehouse speaker in the country, hasn’t RSVP’d, though sources close to him say he plans to attend. However, one of his top lieutenants, Rep. Kathy Willis, will be there along with Rep. Stephanie Kifowit and, possibly Rep. Ann Williams.
The forum is a lead-up to the Jan. 13 House vote on who will be the speaker of the next legislative session. State lawmakers will be in Springfield starting Jan. 8 to address some legislation, though they expect long caucus meetings to decide on the winner before heading to the House floor.
Willis and Williams started calling colleagues this week to gauge their support, and Kifowit has been in the hunt for months.
“The purpose of the forum is to allow any declared or exploratory candidate an opportunity to be heard,'’ wrote Rep. Deb Conroy in a letter to House lawmakers.
The women’s caucus forum comes on the heels of similar events held by the Black and Latino caucuses, which both endorsed Madigan.
Conroy says “there will not be an endorsement” after the women’s forum, which is designed to give caucus members a chance to hear candidates’ “vision for the future.”
Rep. Conroy told me this morning that Speaker Madigan has now confirmed he will attend. Rep. Williams confirmed that she’s been reaching out to colleagues, but said she had no public statement yet about whether she will speak tomorrow.
…Adding… From Rep. Conroy…
I do not have a confirmation from Rep. Williams that she will be participating. My hope is we will have more members who want an opportunity to be heard that will reach out before 10:00 am tomorrow. It is no secret I believe the next Speaker to follow MJM should be a woman out of the majority caucus.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 10:09 am:
““The purpose of the forum is to allow any declared or exploratory candidate an opportunity to be heard”
With 40 years in office, a dicey record on sexual harassment, and an entrenched opposition of mostly female pols. An MJM audience at the House Democratic Women’s Caucus will make for some interesting press.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 10:27 am:
“Speaker Madigan has now confirmed he will attend.”
Good luck. You’re gonna need it.
- Southsider - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 10:36 am:
Interesting that Kathleen Willis (a white woman) chose to diss both the black and latino caucuses by not attending their forums. This is no way to win the speakership.
- Crash - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 10:36 am:
That list is interesting. I’ve long thought that Kelly Cassidy would make a great Speaker. I’m surprised she’s apparently not on the list.
- Take a closer look - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 10:47 am:
Every House Democrat should look at Representative Kathleen Willis with a side eye. After everything Madigan did to help her take out Skip Saviano, she has turned her back him. Madigan created Willis. Her campaign fund is mostly his money that she sends out when told to do so. Her husband sits on the Labor Relations Board and makes $90,000 a year because Madigan helped her. She is the Democratic Caucus Chair because Madigan “created” the position for her. In political speak, you leave the dance with the person who brought you to it. In Shakespearean Theatre, Madigan would say to Willis, “et tu Brutus?!” For this reason, I don’t think WIllis has as many women behind her as she thinks. Take a closer look.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 10:48 am:
Whose voices will be heard in this caucus and whose will be silenced?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:01 am:
the Democratic caucus is majority women. Boom.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:14 am:
=== In Shakespearean Theatre, Madigan would say to Willis, “et tu Brutus?!”===
Caesar said that as he was dying. Just sayin…
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:21 am:
this thread has some Willis bashing, which makes me happy. not because she should be bashed, but because sharp elbows…perhaps between women vying, not Madigan….for a spot is just what happens with men. equality..
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:21 am:
=== Every House Democrat should look at Representative Kathleen Willis with a side eye.===
lol, slow down, speed racer.
That was a transactional relationship.
See, to defeat Saviano, still need find someone to run.
This idea that it’s all “one sided” is stuff and nonsense.
As much as Willis does owe Madigan, that debt was paid… in full… once she raised her hand and took the oath, as the goal of the exercise was to defeat Saviano… not solely help Willis be a member of the General Assembly.
The delusional thoughts of what is owed… friend, Willis beat Saviano. It’s paid.
- Bored Chairman - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:33 am:
Speaker Ann Williams has a nice ring to it.
- realtalk9912 - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:54 am:
The Dem Caucus is made up of Black, Latino and White women. Willis has disrespected 2/3 of the caucus with her actions. She is not a viable candidate and has shown she cannot be trusted in a leadership position. Time for her to sit down.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:03 pm:
what is the racial breakdown of the Democratic caucus? of the women’s caucus?
- The Captain - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:20 pm:
Willis is a made (wo)man, someone should remind her that if you want to take out a boss you need to get permission from The Commission first.
- John Deere Green - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 1:39 pm:
==I’ve long thought that Kelly Cassidy would make a great Speaker.==
Why? Does she have strong leadership skills, strong organizational skills, strong management skills, the ability to bridge divides, and is there evidence of such? I don’t know the answers to those questions, I’m just genuinely curious as to why you think Cassidy (or any other member of the House Democratic caucus, for that matter) would make a good speaker.
- John Deere Green - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 1:41 pm:
==She is the Democratic Caucus Chair because Madigan “created” the position for her.==
That’s not even remotely true. The majority “caucus” (or conference) chair has been around since at least the 88th GA when it was Frank Giglio. It’s probably been around longer than that, but I presume you’re an adult and can do your own research.
- Juan Dominguez - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 6:06 pm:
Nobody is talking about Willis serving a Latino majority district. Que dice sus “Constituents”?