* Preliminary vote total…
…Adding… Illinois Democratic County Chairsâ Association (IDCCA) President Kristina Zahorik…
âOn behalf of all 102 County Democratic Party Chairs and the Illinois Democratic County Chairsâ Association, I would like to congratulate our new State Democratic Party Chair Robin Kelly. Chair Kelly brings a wealth of experience to the table and has been a friend of the IDCCA. We have a lot of work to do before 2022 and we look forward to working with her. We are confident Chair Kelly will lead our Party to victories throughout Illinois.â
…Adding… ILGOP…
Tonight, the central committee of the Democratic Party of Illinois met to elect a new party Chair after the reign of Mike Madigan has come to an end. Unfortunately for Governor JB Pritzker, his hand-picked candidate (and the candidate Madigan also supported), Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris, was unsuccessful in her bid losing to Congressmen Robin Kelly.
The Illinois Republican Party would like to provide our sympathies to Governor Pritzker as he is in the midst of a long string of high-profile political losses. It really is sad.
As a reminderâŠ
Tax Hike Amendment - DEFEATED
Governor Pritzkerâs signature proposal - a progressive tax that was supposed to plug our budget hole and pay for all of his other promises - was soundly defeated by Illinois voters last November. Pritzker spent big on his tax hike gambit and came up short.
Senate President Kimberly Lightfort - DIDNâT HAPPEN
Pritzker and his team, including Senators Andy Manar and Heather Steans, worked overtime to get the Illinois Senate Democrats to choose Kimberly Lightford as their next Senate President. Team Pritzker lost that battle too when Lightford lost to Senate President Don Harmon. Bad feelings remain and Manar and Steans have resigned their seats.
$1 Billion Small Business Tax Hike - VOTED DOWN
Governor Pritzker thought he was walking into friendly territory when he tried to get his super-majority Democrat legislature to pass a $1 billion dollar tax hike via a bill that âdecouplesâ Illinois tax law from federal tax changes under the CARES Act. He was mistaken. It failed.
Tonightâs loss was no different than the others. Governor JB Pritzker expended considerable political capital to get his way but just wasnât able to pull out a win.
We would like to send him a sympathy card for his many losses. See you in 2022 for another one!
…Adding… Robin Kelly…
Congresswoman Robin Kelly Elected Chair of Democratic Party of Illinois
Makes history as the first black woman elected to lead; Vows to Unite All Democrats
Remarks as Delivered to the Democratic State Central Committee
âThank you Chairwoman Yarbrough, Tonight we made history together. We as Democrats are at our best when we have vigorous debate, and then come together for the betterment of the party and our country. I want to thank the members for the State Central Committee for your support and vote of confidence. I look forward to working collaboratively with you as we strengthen our party and work together to build a bench across our 102 Counties.
As President Obama said âWe can disagree without being disagreeableâ.
And that’s more important than ever.
Our Democracy is under siege. Yes, in State after State Republicans are trying to roll back voting rights, suppress the rights of people of color to vote, and trample on what makes Democracy sacred: the right of all people to participate in the process.
I was in the House chamber, trapped in the gallery when a violent mob invaded the greatest symbol of democracy in the history of the world. I stood with my fellow members, elected representatives of the people, as insurrectionists, fed the big lie, for the first time in American History attempted to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
Yes, we all felt personally afraid. But beyond the threat to personal safety was a fear for the very fabric of our democracy. Weâve always said democracy is fragile, that it must be fought for. But has that ever been more true than tonight?
If we are going to preserve, protect and defend the government of the people, by the people and for the people, we must change. We must fight back. We must take on the big lie, the insurrectionists, the fox news, the q anonâs head on. And with your help, the same Illinois party that elected the first African Woman to the United States Senate, sent the first African American President to the White House, and had so many other firsts, will lead the way once again.
My friends, we start from a position of strength. Illinoisans have trusted us with the Governorship, both US Senators and every State-wide office. We have not just majorities but supermajorities in both legislative houses. We made and continue to make strong progressive gains throughout the State. But we know we need to do more if we are going to protect these gains and build upon them. Together, we can move our democratic party forward. Starting tonight.
* Gov. Pritzker…
* Ald. Michelle Harris…
âCongresswoman Kelly is an esteemed colleague and I am proud to work with her as our next Chair and the first Black woman to lead our Party,â said Ald. Harris. âIt is time to move forward and we will do that together.â
* Mayor Lightfoot…
âToday, Illinois Democrats made history by electing Congresswoman Robin Kelly as party chair. Rep. Kelly has the experience and energy to lead Democrats to victory in 2022 and beyond.
âChairwoman Michelle Harris and Senator Cristina Castro are also accomplished leaders and well qualified to lead our party. The race to fill this seat was at times contentious and I know that Rep. Kelly will work closely with Chairwoman Harris and Sen. Castro to bring Democrats together and build a better, more modern party. I look forward to helping support Rep. Kellyâs work to build a strong, inclusive Democratic Party of Illinois.â
* Senate President Harmon…
Congratulations to Congresswoman Robin Kelly on being elected to lead the Illinois Democratic Party. Her exemplary service in Congress during such trying times, background in local government, upbringing in Peoria as the daughter of a small business owner and postal worker, along with her compassion for people are exactly the qualities Illinois Democrats need right now to lead us and move our party forward. Iâm ready to work together with her on behalf of Democrats across Illinois.
* Speaker Welch…
“I congratulate Robin Kelly on her election as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. I am confident we will work together to offer voters a bold agenda for Illinois: more resources for our public schools; social and economic justice for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color; improved access to health care and social services; and a safe and resilient recovery from this pandemic. With her at DPI, we will build on an already strong and diverse Democratic coalition, so I look forward to working with her.
* Sen. Cristina Castro…
âI was honored to have the support of my fellow Latino elected officials when I put my name forward to become the next Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, so I was proud to give voice to Latinos throughout Illinois when I cast my vote for Congresswoman Kelly. For too long the Illinois Democratic Party has focused singularly on Illinois House races, but with Congresswoman Kelly as the new Chair weâre now in a position to refocus the Party, expand the gains Democrats have made in the collar counties, and win races up and down the ballot. She has what it takes to represent our Latino community and Democrats in the suburbs as she moves our entire state forward.â
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:38 pm:
ED Bill Houlihan?
- walker - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:39 pm:
Told ya. All about Dem power moving to suburbs/jcollars, with a bit of downstate thrown in for good measure.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:40 pm:
âDonât make no waves…
… donât back no losersâ
This is a wow.
- Ed Equity - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:41 pm:
Pritzker is not the leader of the party….another outcome of the night
- Nick - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:42 pm:
Well well well
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:45 pm:
==Kimberly Lightfort==
Who?
- SouthSide Markie - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:46 pm:
Next question: Who will authorize the expenditure of party funds to pay the legal fees necessary to defend against the FEC complaint?
- Been There - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:47 pm:
Congrats Congresswoman Kelly. Looking forward to your leadership.
====ED Bill Houlihan?===
Ironically the vote was so close that any one committeeperson except Houlihan and Stocks-Smith could have swung the vote.
- newday - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:50 pm:
Politics is exciting at times. Thank to you those who had the courage to stand up.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:52 pm:
Fire JB just turned into fire durbin
- Uptown Funk - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:55 pm:
Poor JB, man. Can’t rack up a political win to save his life.
Go Robin, though
- Greta - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:55 pm:
Does Duckworth knows how to run a campaign?
- theCardinal - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:55 pm:
Ed at 7:41 JB may not be in charge now but when they need cash
(and they will) in next cycle, betting he will be their sugar daddy.
- Wake up JB - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 7:58 pm:
The governor needs to cut his losses. The mark of a good leader is knowing how to spot talent and maximize it. His team lacks talent. Time to let a handful of people go. They apparently cannot count votes. Recognize a loss and save your money.
- Anonanonsir - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:03 pm:
So I guess Kelly will have a nice safe seat in the remap. Unless they decide to go with fair maps.
I know little about this but it seems like it might be a good thing, after years of Chicago control.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:05 pm:
Re: GOP response - I would have focused on the illegality of a party chairman raising money and running a party and connecting that to the Madigan way of doing business, but that is just me. Maybe they finally got over their Madigan obsession?
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:07 pm:
Wow. Did not see this result coming - and wonder what this does to fundraising in the near term…. when the billionaire doesnât get his way, does he open his wallet to the same degree?
- paperback - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:09 pm:
Optically this was the logical choice. Do you really want a Chicago alderman running the state party?
- west wing - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:13 pm:
A win for the Democratic Party of Illinois, with two strong candidates presenting ideas and reflecting unity toward each other. I think Robin’s track record of being around the state for the past 20 years was a key factor. The Costello-Phelps-Cullterton arguments were strong, but in the end Robin Kelly is a force to be reckoned with.
- Greatwin - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:13 pm:
So happy with tonight’s outcome. JB needs to look at his staff and dump the overpaid people who clearly do not know how to whip votes.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:15 pm:
Long live the Chair.
Now letâs build a party. My biggest gripe about being an Illinois Dem was the lack of a state party organization to which i could meaningfully contribute. We donât have it yet, but I think this is a step in the right direction.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:18 pm:
Dear ILGOP;
Speling alwayd mattters.
#Prooofreed
- MG85 - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:19 pm:
Iâll give JB credit for one thing - he knows his team well enough to not call them the Best Team in America. At this point, I donât think he can call them the BTIChicago.
- Whatâs next? - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:21 pm:
Will there be any self-reflection from the Governor that his staff is universally disliked? Itâs not Pritzker himself, but the staff who run his politics that have hurt him. Illinois politics are about relationships, they have none.
- Buford - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:23 pm:
ILGOP: We have no successes to speak of, so let’s just mention other’s failures.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:25 pm:
A new era for Illinois Democrats has begun.
I wish the chairwoman the best.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:26 pm:
Time for a reset JB… and have to agree, it starts with those youâve surrounded yourself with.
- walker - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:26 pm:
Iâm thinking Pat Botterman is smiling. I know his many friends around the state are.
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:29 pm:
As someone commented a few days back about the difference in the parties, the Democrats get together, yell and fight and work things out and present a united front, the Republicans form a circular firing squad. JB’s doing his bit for the united front.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:46 pm:
I love politics and always vote and used to walk a precinct but I could not pick a winner if my life depended on it. I am going to hire myself out to casinos. A sure bet my pick will be wrong.
Durbin has way more clout than i thought. Just Wow
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 8:47 pm:
PS thoughts Mr JM?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 9:03 pm:
===JBâs doing his bit for the united front===
You might wanna read that again.
- Commisar Gritty - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 9:05 pm:
Go Robin! I’m so happy she took it! Heck of an organizer and has the charisma to make sure cooler heads prevail in a very diverse party. I was thinking she was done-zo after those letters came out. She said she wasn’t out yet, and clearly she wasn’t. Kudos!
- Roman - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 9:19 pm:
== You might wanna read that again. ==
Yeah, thought the same…a little passive-aggressive from the Gov? Like itâs on Robin Kelly if things go poorly?
- Amalia - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 9:35 pm:
The better choice won. the votes are interesting. hardcore Madigan allies? Clearly there are some and this vote shows that. Not Tabares. That would never have happened in the old days, a split in Mr. Madigan’s party vote.
- Frumpy White Guy - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 9:37 pm:
Poor JB will now be walking a little slower and with his head hung low.
- former reformer - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 9:55 pm:
JB can reboot Think Big for Mr. Fulks
- ShakeUpSpringfield - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 9:58 pm:
Pritzker is failing to learn the same thing Rauner failed to learn = legislators want your money, not your opinions.
- Hard D - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 10:02 pm:
JB needs to really look who he has surround himself with in his inner circle. COS basically nice person but a outsider to Illinois political scene. None of his Deputy Governors are people persons who can sway votes on political issues.
JB might need to make some tough choices moving forward but change might be in order or even necessary. JMO
- Opening Date - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 10:04 pm:
Labor got told to take a hike. The new chair said she could not raise millions in soft money but would make up for it by selling t-shirts. Dems biggest donors are legally sidelined by a group of people who have never had to raise anything. Durbin threw Duckworth under the bus for his guy. The Republicans had a banner day.
- Committeewoman - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 10:14 pm:
===Iâm thinking Pat Botterman is smiling. I know his many friends around the state are.===
That makes me smile.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 10:29 pm:
“thoughts Mr JM?”
Congratulations and good luck.
– MrJM
- Frank talks - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 10:30 pm:
DuPage Saint you always chose wrong because your a Dem from DuPage and until lately you never had a chance.. Sorry nothing more nothing less. I may be a Republican from Chicago and have the same record as you.
The Dem party first expanse is to hire a lobbyist to make a ruling on fundraising. The longer this is a hanging chad the longer its a problem, a real ruling would be really helpful.
- Frumpy White Guy - Wednesday, Mar 3, 21 @ 10:31 pm:
=West Wing = Arenât you going to proclaim this to be a huge defeat for Mike Madigan?