* Chicago Tribune 2020 endorsement…
Still, first-time candidate Mary Miller of Oakland, a conservative Republican who manages a farm with her husband, Illinois Rep. Chris Miller, would be a good fit for this Downstate district. She supports regulatory reforms and trade to spur economic growth and knows that unless her district creates more jobs, it will see even more people leave.
Yesterday…
From a statement given to me by Will Nesbitt, Rep. Miller’s Northern Regional Director…
Congresswoman Miller’s comments are unfortunate and serious. They do not belong in our political discourse and they do not represent my beliefs and values. And for that reason, I resigned effective January 6.
US Rep. Seth Moulton talked about what it was like when members fled the House floor ahead of the violent mob yesterday and huddled together in a secure location…
I also saw a small group of Republicans, of course the most conservative Trump allies, proudly refusing to wear masks even in this incredibly crowded room. We were brought there for our safety by the Capitol Police, but these colleagues were imperiling our safety by refusing to wear their masks. I took out my phone to snap a picture of them and suddenly, one of them, this new freshman from Illinois, verbally assaulted me, got right in my face. It’s interesting that she was suddenly afraid of being outed for her hypocrisy.
* Chicago Tribune 2020 endorsement…
Voters statewide know Republican Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro as the member of the Illinois House who railed against the Democratic stranglehold on the legislative process in a moment of frustration on the floor. Papers flew. We can relate. In Washington, Bost has found a niche as an advocate for veterans and farmers and a member of one of our favorite groups, the Problem Solvers, who work across the aisle when most members of the House decline.
Yesterday…
* Chicago Tribune 2020 endorsement…
Republican incumbent Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City is a small businessman who wonders why state government can’t embrace the same sensible budgeting approach that small businesses apply. Stop the irresponsible spending, Wilhour says, and stop relying on taxpayers to bail out the state with measures such as the Democrats’ proposed graduated income tax. It is pitched as a tax on the wealthy, but when the next fiscal crisis rolls around, it’s a fair bet that middle-class taxpayers will be next in line for a rate hike. Democrat Dave Seiler, a history teacher from Effingham, says he would strengthen connections with constituents through weekly town hall forums. We endorse Wilhour.
Yesterday…
When asked to provide specific irregularities, or if he personally believed there was fraud in the 2020 general election, Wilhour said: “I don’t have the evidence to tell you yes or no and I never pretended to.”
* Chicago Tribune 2020 endorsement…
Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, says the scale of corruption in state government is one reason why companies think twice about moving commerce and jobs to Illinois. He wants strong ethics reform, including a ban on lawmakers becoming lobbyists once they leave office, and strengthening the authority of the legislative inspector general’s office. He faces Independent candidate Kody Czerwonka an accountant from Montrose. Miller is endorsed.
Yesterday…
* Chicago Tribune 2020 endorsement…
Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, causes trouble in Springfield (in a good way) because he doesn’t go with the flow. He challenged Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-home directives in court as executive order overreach. He calls out members of his own party if he believes they’re leading the state in the wrong direction. On taking a legislative pension, which he declined, he says: “I believe that the position of representative and senator are not careers, but should be treated as times of service to our state. It is irresponsible to collect a pension for an elected position while the working-class pensions are in jeopardy.” Right on. Bailey faces Olney business owner Cynthia Given. Voters in this district should send Bailey to the Senate where he can continue to challenge the status quo. He is endorsed.
Yesterday…
“Right on.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Cynthia Given, the Democratic candidate against Darren Bailey, just reached out to say the Tribune editorial board never contacted her about its endorsement process.
- Lurker - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:35 pm:
Bailey seems the most special of the special
- DownStateR - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:36 pm:
Rep. Miller’s alma mater and one of the largest employers in her district just issued a statement condemning her comments.
- OneMan - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:37 pm:
I will give money to their primary challengers.
I will give money to their general election challengers.
- Homebody - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:38 pm:
The disingenuous hand-wringing from the various bad-faith actors who have continued to facilitate, encourage, and endorse those who have been pushing us in this direction need to be called out. What happened yesterday wasn’t a surprise. It is the result of megaphone-level dog whistling that started decades ago.
They can’t be allowed to act all shocked and say “tsk tsk” when the results of their propaganda come home to roost.
- SWIL_Voter - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:40 pm:
For years now I’ve been calling Rep Bost’s office for information on why my representative does the things he does, and the answer is always the same: “I can’t speak for the representative and have no information on his view on this issue.” Same answer was given with regard to his petition to the SCOTUS, his vote yesterday, and his encouragement of the violence that occurred. Truly no representation
- Simple Simon - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:41 pm:
We seem to be living in a post-hypocrisy world.
- Don't Bloc Me In - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:41 pm:
That’s a good story about Mary Miller. From personal experience I can tell you she is the meltiest of snowflakes.
- Chuck Button - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:43 pm:
The Trib Edit Board has a long history of bad judgment. Thanks Rich for highlighting it. JB Pritzker wisely refused participation in their endorsement interview process in 2018. Every self-respecting politician should follow suit.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
I’ve spent a good amount of time in the last 24 hours divesting myself from any investments I had in southern IL. I’m a bit over halfway done - to the tune of 344k. The majority of whats left is only still there because of the amount of time it will take to close out.
On a smaller note, I’ve cancelled my 2024 eclipse trip to southern IL, and instead will be flying down to Mexico, which will actually be a better spot.
Southern IL wanted to be cut-off from nothern Illinois. Wish granted.
- Collinsville Kevin - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
The Trib can sure pick ‘em. Sadly, the people who vote for folks like Bost don’t care what they do.
- Commisar Gritty - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
Mark Maxwell is a real OG today. Great accountability reporting. We need to drive out every single one of these liars before their misinformation campaigns lead to more bloodshed. Difference between us and them is we do it at the polls.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:47 pm:
Kass’ column today was a lame attempt to wash his pro-Trump cheerleading away. The dude spent the past five years echoing and reinforcing the white grievance that is Trumpism over and over and today he thinks he has no blame in this?
John Kass is nothing without white grievance. He can’t wash the stink off himself now. Too late. He picked his side.
- RDB66 - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:47 pm:
Until the GOP cannot purge literal Nazis from its elected officials and big supporters, it cannot be taken seriously as a legitimate political party worthy of being trusted with the protection of American’s life, liberty and property. Period.
- Father Ted - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:52 pm:
I just don’t understand why, out of all of the people who are a part of human history, she felt like Hitler was the guy she needed to quote. I know she wasn’t “praising” or lauding him (as a headline I saw indicated), but it was just such an unbelievable blunder.
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:53 pm:
They will literally burn this country to the ground just to lower the corporate tax rate a few more percentages.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:55 pm:
The big brains at the Tribune took the woman who — on 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina smashing New Orleans and killing 1,833 people — endorsed “resetting” Chicago with “a real storm.”
“That’s what it took to hit the reset button in New Orleans,” she wrote. “Chaos. Tragedy. Heartbreak.”
Even knowing what we all know now, there is no reason to believe that Chicago Tribune Editorial Board would change a single endorsement.
– MrJM
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:58 pm:
Once again Illinois Republicans find new ways to hurt their brand. Their mindset is so stuck in the mud it’s well up to the frame by now, yet they keep spinning their wheels. Just amazing that some other state’s Republicans are nowhere near this bad.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
“I just don’t understand why, out of all of the people who are a part of human history, she felt like Hitler was the guy she needed to quote.”
People who genuinely despise Adolf Hitler would never, ever favorably invoke his name.
But others do.
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
My feelings pertaining to the eastern bloc, the Tribune Edit Board, its members, to both frankly, the insurrection yesterday and the enabling by that edit board and the embracing by these members and now Congresswoman Miller, included…
“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.”
- Proverbs 11:29
I scream in the wind. I know and recognize that.
Listen and recognize the history, context, and existence now of both groups as America comes to terms with yesterday, as Illinois comes to terms with enablers and with facilitators
Listen to these groups. These two will hedge, scrape, and mold what they said they believe(d) to seem to place themselves on the correct side of history and the damage yesterday brought.
Listen. Read. It’s there.
I’m angry. Before I was merely frustrated. If yesterday doesn’t change the prism you see, my useless screaming in that wind won’t either.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:02 pm:
It’s almost like they want a hurricane to wipe Illinois off the map so that they can start over with their own ideas and no pesky people to interfere with their plans.
- West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
While it is much too late for Bailey to follow the adage “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt”, why go on Facebook at all to say you have nothing to say, and then say it in such a way to remove any doubt.
- Jocko - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:16 pm:
==We have no idea of knowing==
Apparently the Trump gear, confederate flags, and opinions shared by the mob left room for doubt. Bailey and the Millers should save time and head directly to the ash heap of history.
- Zim - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:17 pm:
I’m unfortunately one of Mary Miller’s constituents. Companies think twice about investing in this part of the state because of politicians like the Millers and Bailey who are stuck in the puritanical 17th century. If continuing to be an economically depressed backwater is what the electorate here wants, it’s wish granted for the foreseeable future.
- Rich Hill - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:18 pm:
“Good people,” these Republicans.
- West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:22 pm:
Don’t read the Trib because I refuse to give them any money, so have to ask if they responded to the Hitler remark.They are, after all, big supporters of the party of Eisenhower, they should remember him, Supreme Allied Commander, WW II, fought and defeated Hitler, any of those ring a bell?
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
I don’t think “enablers” goes far enough.
McQueary and Kass are embedded in the right wing of the GOP, along with Dan Proft, IPI and some others. They are
Inseparable from it, an essential part of an ongoing white nationalist movement, and are as responsible for yesterday’s coup attempt as the Republicans you name.
The getaway driver in the van is equally responsible for what happens inside the bank.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:25 pm:
And yet a lot of them will be in church Sunday claiming their love of God and God’s people. They are beyond contempt and it is high time the clergy who have supported and promoted these people either speak out against them or resign from the clergy.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
===f only the far left enablers would have spoken up when Michigan Avenue got looted===
Yes, if only. I’ve heard this complaint many times today. I also recall myself and others condemning the violence and crime that erupted from the BLM protests.
Sometimes we only hear what we want to hear. Plus, it’s fun to be a victim, isn’t it? You get to feel sorry for yourself all day and that’s easier than examining why you have so much fear and hate in your heart.
- John Deere Green - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
Looking forward to the fall of 2022 when Katrina, Kass and the rest of their merry band of enablers gloss right over all these public and pathetic embarrassments in their endorsements of the very same right-wing loons, and no doubt more. Same as it ever was.
But, hey, Madigan bad, right?
- Gary Hart - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:29 pm:
It’s usually a good strategy to double down on Hitler comments.
Said by no one…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:31 pm:
(Deep breath)
=== If only the far left enablers would have spoken up when Michigan Avenue got looted. If only the far left enablers spoke up when the federal building was constantly being attacked in Portland and Seattle.===
Let’s be so crystal clear that this utter ignorance to the American Experience that the racial underpinnings this comment wants will first be highlighted for ALL to read as a signal to whom the comment is meant, and also highlight that simple, feeble minded folks are choosing not to understand yesterday.
Yesterday was an insurrection. This country, our fair and free election was attacked and threatened, the goal was to stop democracy, our democracy, to not only pause but to cede to this insurrection.
Our government completed the work to ensure our election protocols are done, the American Experiment moves forward, no matter what these traitors demanded.
Comparing a store looting to the attack by traitors to our Republic and equivocate anything from yesterday to shops, even to Seattle or Portland, is to diminish the importance of our country and brazen attacks to her foundations.
This needs to end. Enough.
If you can’t grasp the real significance that globally our existing democracy was questioned, that the chain of our leadership needed to be secured from a mob, that this was encouraged and promoted by the President of the United States, those ignorant to the American presence on a global stage as the beacon to all, the leader of the free world, I pity you, and hope your “whataboutism” eases your simple minded concerns.
- Club J - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:32 pm:
Darren Bailey just can’t let the words come out of his mouth that Donald Trump is a failure and was responsible for the attack on our Capitol yesterday. Plus the deaths of four individuals and destruction of so much Government property. Hanging on to that Republican stronghold is just more important than any kind of human decency.
I was raised in a Christian home and I may not have always walked a straight line, but his actions aren’t the Christian values I was taught growing up. He took the wrong exit somewhere.
- vole - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:35 pm:
Why young people are leaving S. IL.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:36 pm:
these are people who do not belong in public office.
- The Opinions Bureau - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:37 pm:
“Don’t blame me, I voted for Gary Johnson”
- Stu - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:39 pm:
Trib editorial board now calling for invoking the 25th amendment
- Sonny - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:39 pm:
They will further embrace Kinzinger and moderation and pretend none of this happened and if it did it was a one off and no one’s fault.
- In 630 - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:42 pm:
If they had any sense of honor, they’d all resign.
If there were any justice, they’d be expelled from office.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:49 pm:
“Don’t blame me, I voted for Gary Johnson”
That was my credo in 2012. Ah the good old days when it felt like no matter who you voted for, America was going to be just fine.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:50 pm:
Put that toddler in their high chair and turn on Fox News. Grab their little hearts and minds early.
/s
- Night Rider - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:51 pm:
Thanks for compiling this all. The rot is deep within the entire Republican party.
- cover - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 1:55 pm:
= Moments before a riotous mob stormed the US Capitol, Illinois state Representative Chris Miller, husband to Congresswoman Mary Miller, railed against “dangerous Democrat terrorists,” and said “we’re in a great cultural war to see which worldview will survive.” =
So basically he’s perfectly fine with dangerous Republican terrorists?
- truthteller - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 2:03 pm:
ya, I missed all the trump flags myself for .000001 seconds
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 2:17 pm:
I think everyone should back off Rep. Bailey here. Given the mental acuity he has consistently demonstrated, I believe him when he says he has no idea.
- Greta - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 2:18 pm:
The Antifa is pretending to be white supremacists “argument” is going over like a lead balloon.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 2:21 pm:
I am curious how the Baileys of the world would have felt if a mob broke I to the US Capitol carrying ISIS flags?
Attacking the US Capitol and flying the confederate battle flags no different than the flag of any of our other defeated foes.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 2:22 pm:
“Don’t blame me I voted for Gary Johnson.” yes, you deserve blame.
- Simple Simon - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 2:28 pm:
===embrace the same sensible budgeting approach that small businesses apply. Stop the irresponsible spending, Wilhour says===
Given the long-term depopulation trend downstate, I suggest abandoning most state highways and facilities outside of population centers. Those things are no longer warranted by the customer base. Just like a business, amirite?
- Blake - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 3:39 pm:
No one should ever call Mary Miller conservative.
- Left Leaner - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 3:46 pm:
Awaiting any kind of statement from the op-ed board of the Tribune in 1,999,999…1,999,998…1,999,997…it’s going to be a while here…
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 4:03 pm:
“Who are the armed people carrying Trump banners”, is like asking, “Whose foot is this…in my shoe?
Please.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 4:06 pm:
When I say the name Adolph Hitler…I spit the bad taste out of my mouth.
- Quizzical - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 5:00 pm:
Maybe people are leaving downstate because their neighbors quote Hitler.
- cover - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 5:19 pm:
= “Don’t blame me I voted for Gary Johnson.” yes, you deserve blame. =
Why? It’s likely that a number of people who voted for Johnson were regular GOP voters (as of 2016, anyway) who couldn’t hold their noses tightly enough to vote for Trump. I wouldn’t be surprised if a majority of those who voted for Johnson in 2016 still didn’t vote for Trump in 2020.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Jan 7, 21 @ 6:30 pm:
WGN is reporting that a police officer has died as a result of yesterday’s riot. So much for the law and order president. Back the blue right.