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Rep. Ann Williams announces bid for House Speaker

Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

With a focus on the future, State Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago) today announced her candidacy to become the first woman Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. In anticipation of the upcoming vote for Speaker of the 102nd General Assembly, Williams has been reaching out to colleagues regarding the work to be done to support working families, ensure access to healthcare, protect our environment, address systemic inequities and advance our Democratic priorities.

“I believe I am the right person to lead as we shape the next chapter of the House Democratic Caucus,” said Williams. “Our already significant fiscal challenges and economic disparities have only been amplified due to COVID and the economic fallout. We need an experienced, pragmatic leader who can unify our caucus and build a bridge to the future.”

“I will lead the House Democratic Caucus collaboratively - with integrity, open communication, and respect for the voices of all Illinoisans.”

Williams was first elected in 2010 over the opposition of Chicago machine politicians and built her career as an independent legislator. She currently serves as the Chair of the House Environment and Energy committee. Her priorities have included addressing the climate crisis, ensuring full access to reproductive healthcare, and fighting for equality for all Illinois families. Williams has been a strong advocate for the hospitality industry, which has served as a base for Illinois’ economic growth. An adoptee, Williams earned national recognition for her work to open adoption records, leading to the reunification of thousands of families, including her own.

“Illinois is at a crossroads. Working moms can’t afford childcare. The pandemic has highlighted the racial inequities in our healthcare and justice systems. Our small business community is devastated. Yet, the Illinois House hasn’t met since May. We need a leader that puts the people of Illinois first.”

“Throughout my career, I have been mentored by many trailblazing women. Today, they are lifting me up as I put in my name to become the first woman Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives,” said Williams. “I am ready to lead.”

…Adding… Meanwhile

Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, is asking the Illinois Secretary of State to appoint a non-partisan provisional parliamentarian to oversee House proceedings when the new legislature is seated.

Proceedings in the House in the 101st General Assembly are managed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. He’s held that role of speaker for all but two years since 1983. Last year, Madigan was implicated in a nine-year bribery scheme involving utility Commonwealth Edison.

While Madigan hasn’t been charged with a crime and maintains he’s done nothing wrong, the revelations ComEd admitted to that it paid $1.3 million in jobs and contracts to Madigan associates in an effort to influence the speaker has led to a loss of majority support among House Democrats poised to vote for the next speaker immediately after the 102nd General Assembly is seated Wednesday, Jan. 13.

In a letter to Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Durkin said the selection of House Speaker for the 102nd General Assembly “is far from clear.” Some suggest without a clear leader, it could take dozens of ballots to come to a conclusion, taking time away from dealing with other issues the state is facing.

“As Presiding Officer, you have the authority to select individuals to serve as appointed Provisional Officers,” Durkin told White. “One such individual is the Provisional Parliamentarian.”

       

40 Comments
  1. - RNUG - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 10:53 am:

    The dam is eroding …


  2. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 10:57 am:

    An great candidate who isn’t tied to Madigan, glad she’s running.


  3. - Fav Human - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:03 am:

    She didn’t attend the meeting of either the Black or Latinx caucus. I wonder what they will think of this.

    And what her reasons for not attending were.


  4. - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:05 am:

    Fav Human…she may have just decided to run for speaker after both Black/Latinx caucuses met - I hope?


  5. - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:08 am:

    Tick-tock..tick-tock..

    Waiting on MJM to tell spokesperson Brown, CoS, and senior staff to..start packing. “no way around this.”


  6. - Excited - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:08 am:

    I like the focus on the environment and the plight of working women. Ready for this change.


  7. - Amalia - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:08 am:

    She knows what it takes. She’s been there, moved on, in a couple of ways. I liked the idea of her from the start. when she placed her name on the list of the committed to another speaker, it spoke volumes.


  8. - NIU Grad - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:09 am:

    “She didn’t attend the meeting of either the Black or Latinx caucus.”

    I thought it was common knowledge that those caucuses met too early in this process as a favor to Madigan, before true opposition could start mustering support (hence this constant talking point being used against new candidates). Someone like Williams wouldn’t be doing this unless she was able to win support from a few other representatives.


  9. - Andersonville United - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:09 am:

    I like Rep. Williams and what she fights for.


  10. - Back to the Future - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:12 am:

    Not sure where this is going, but agree the comments with Amalia made.


  11. - Ok - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:15 am:

    I think the (slight) chance of only first day nominations being accepted by the SoS makes moves like this necessary. If that does happen, she could win.


  12. - Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:17 am:

    Durkin makes a good point. A neutral parliamentarian would be appropriate for a contested Speaker election. That is something the “no” Madigan folks would want too.


  13. - JD - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:22 am:

    Ann will be an excellent Speaker and will lead with integrity which is what IL needs right now.


  14. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:22 am:

    === Durkin makes a good point.===

    So Durkin doesn’t trust Jesse White?

    Durkin’s letter is a lotta noise, White in the chair, Durkin a super minority, is he worried the Dems might turn on Dems?


  15. - Howard - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:25 am:

    ===A great candidate who isn’t tied to Madigan===

    Give me a break. He hired her as a staff attorney and AG Madigan also gave her a job. Where would she be without Madigan?


  16. - Commisar Gritty - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:29 am:

    Durkin complains about Madigan and now he complains about the process to replace him? Kinda makes you wonder what he’s going to do once Madigan is gone. Will he have anything to talk about?


  17. - Oswego Silly - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:43 am:

    Hey OW - your spot on …. not….Jesse White can handle the parliamentary questions and maneuvers on his own ? Or should the House have Madigan’s lawyer whisper in his ear after every question posed . Dumbest response from OW in awhile .


  18. - Fav Human - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:44 am:

    I just thought of something. What if MJM loses? Does he just quit? Go home and do whatever hobby he likes to do?

    He’ll still have a massive war chest. True he might need that for other purposes.

    But if he doesn’t, during the next election does he massively retaliate against those people who turned on him?


  19. - Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:45 am:

    Williams is on the Board of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, with Harmon as Senate President. 2A amendment supporters should be alarmed at her potential as Speaker.


  20. - Marine Life - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:46 am:

    Howard is right. She’s also historically tied to him through her ex husband. Not saying it is fair, but it is politics.


  21. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:46 am:

    So… You don’t trust Jesse White?

    What exactly are you and Durkin afraid of, outside your shadow, lol

    You forgot that part


  22. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:52 am:

    ===So… You don’t trust Jesse White?===

    Not about that, even though JW did endorse MJM for reelection.

    Allowing MJM’s parliamentarian to stay in place during a contested election is not a good idea.


  23. - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:53 am:

    Look any Dem candidate wanting to be speaker without the locked votes from both Black/Latinx caucuses will be impossible. I don’t think respectfully that it will be Rep. Williams. Like Howard said above..she’s ‘truly not independent’; a Madigan loyalist at one point hence her current position.


  24. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 11:55 am:

    ===she’s ‘truly not independent’===

    No true independent is gonna be elected Speaker.


  25. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 12:00 pm:

    I’m coming at it, the more MJM uses “parliamentary” maneuvers and procedural points, the next Speaker still needs to secure the necessary votes.

    The more tricks or games, the less likely it turns out the way Madigan would like, even worse for HDems, all Dems.


  26. - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 12:02 pm:

    This is going to be a long-drawn-out, protracted in a smoke-filled room battle for the speakership. Who knows? Is this MJM’s end game? “tire them out.”


  27. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 12:02 pm:

    ===Go home and do whatever hobby he likes to do?===

    Um, this is his hobby.


  28. - Streamwood Retiree - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 12:12 pm:

    ==Kinda makes you wonder what he’s going to do once Madigan is gone. Will he have anything to talk about? ==
    He’ll start with “Williams Williams Williams” in answer to any question and sponsor ads about Williams’ favorite
    IOW she will be the new bogeyman because the GOP has no ideas other than “abolish unions”, “cheat retirees” and “don’t tax the rich”.


  29. - Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 12:18 pm:

    ===Is this MJM’s end game? “tire them out.”===

    Not saying it will this time, but it’s worked before…


  30. - thisjustinagain - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 12:36 pm:

    MJM can’t tire anyone out, because he doesn’t have the votes to win. The 19 are still 19, so no matter what MJM is history. Everybody can argue over his replacement after he’s out.


  31. - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 12:45 pm:

    thisjustinagain…

    But stalling creates chaos, confusion, anxiety, and turmoil. And MJM knows this. With Dem caucus members realizing that this going on for too many days, they may simply fall in line and pick the assured prize which comes with a ‘warranty’; the experienced and results-driven kingmaker: MJM.


  32. - low level - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 1:23 pm:

    “Where would she be without Madigan?” She beat his favored candidate in a primary. Madigan likely was none too pleased he had to spend a lot of dough in that primary and still lost, or that she’s announced her candidacy against HIMSELF.

    And see, that’s what makes her such a great candidate for Speaker. Yes, she does have ties to the old guard (emphasis on old…old and graying) AND yet has proven her independence.

    Both those boxes are checked. She has strong ties to both regulars and independents. Two thumbs up.


  33. - Juvenal - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 2:31 pm:

    === No true independent is gonna be elected Speaker ===

    Truth. And that is part of the folly. No matter who is elected, the GOP is likely to refer to them as a Madigan puppet.

    Still:
    - Williams worked for Mike Madigan
    - Williams worked for Lisa Madigan
    - Mike Madigan was, I believe, at her wedding.

    Williams is smart, honest and a solid legislator, but she’s going to have a tougher time than most passing herself off as independent.


  34. - anon2 - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 2:41 pm:

    Good for her. Those who announce their candidacy now, before MJM withdraws, gain more credibility than those who wait until it’s safe.


  35. - Ok but just one thing - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 2:42 pm:

    Ok well if she does get elected I hope she cleans house starting with staff. I doubt she would. But the minions gotta go.


  36. - Juvenal - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 2:47 pm:

    === starting with staff ===

    That is not going to get you to 60 votes, but see my post above.

    Once you roll the guillotine out into the public square, there will always be a crowd demanding the beheadings continue. It’s part of the nature of revolutions, perhaps.

    A better approach is Mandela’s.


  37. - Tommydanger - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 3:36 pm:

    I worked with her in a previous life. I believe she she has the skill set to be an excellent speaker.


  38. - anon2 - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 4:00 pm:

    If the standard for the next Speaker is independence from Madigan, then precious few Democrats would qualify. I can think of only one who opposed Madigan and his rules two years ago, and who was elected on her own.


  39. - Pizza Man - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 4:19 pm:

    Truly independent from Madigan? Former state rep. Scott Drury…


  40. - Essential State Employee - Wednesday, Jan 6, 21 @ 6:44 pm:

    ==Truly independent from Madigan? Former state rep. Scott Drury…==

    Did you know he was once a truly independent federal prosecutor?


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