Syverson responds on term limit issue
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rockford Register-Star…
A supporter of pro-life, term limits, the Second Amendment and someone who vows to support the men and women in blue “unconditionally” wants to represent the area in Springfield. […]
[Eli] Nicolosi is challenging incumbent state Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley [in the Republican primary]. […]
“After redistricting, a new map is now in effect and career politicians have been on pins and needles about how it is going to affect their district,” Nicolosi said. “Well, I’m here to tell you the 35th District should never be anyone’s district at all. It’s the people’s district.
“That’s why I believe in term limits. … real honest to God term limits that are law, not just recommendations that you can ignore in time.”
A one-year term in the Illinois Senate is six years. After his speech, Nicolosi said two terms in the Senate is needed to accomplish goals, but he also said, “Anything more than 10 years, you are pushing it. And what I can tell you is 30 years is too long.”
Um, Illinois Senate terms are staggered at 4, 4 and 2 years. Two terms, therefore, could be as many as eight years or as few as two. Perhaps a little research was in order?
* But Sen. Syverson has indeed been around almost 30 years, and here’s his texted response to me on the issue…
Well, If I was gone in 10 years we would not have a Hard Rock [casino] in Rockford. And we could come up with a number of other examples of major things done in part due to my seniority. As you know, when you’re new, so much is staff driven. It takes years to build the relationships to understand how the system works. Especially when it comes to constituent work to understand and know all the agencies.
When I get to the point where I believe I cannot be effective for my constituents I’ll be the first to go.
Plus look how much I’m saving the state. I’m working for nothing every year. I maxed out at 20 years. If I quit today my pension would be more than what my salary is, so I’m actually working for nothing 🤷🏼‍♂️
I guess I’m the real conservative.
I definitely detect some snark there.
- Shield - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
I thought “nothing” was Syverson’s work product.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:03 pm:
===Well, If I was gone in 10 years we would not have a Hard Rock [casino] in Rockford.===
Actually, Syverson’s alleged ethical questions to the Casino are interesting to his touting here, but …
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:15 pm:
Politics and government is about the only field where anybody with an opinion thinks they’re qualified despite having no experience beyond occasionally voting.
Nobody questions a dentist with 30 years of experience. Or a car mechanic. Or any other profession. Why do we think experience doesn’t count here? And why does anybody with an opinion believe that makes them qualified to be in government?
I’m tired of amateurs and dilettantes pretending they can do this better that those who’ve put the time in to learn how to craft and pass legislation.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:23 pm:
“I’ll support our police unconditionally.”
So abstractly, if a police officer’s activities are violating someone’s constitutional rights, would he support the police officer or the constitution?
- Sir - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:42 pm:
Honest to God, I’m on pins and needles, waiting to see how this pans out.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:44 pm:
“And we could come up with a number of other examples of major things done in part due to my seniority.”
I feel like he should have those examples ready to go…
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:57 pm:
Term limits for thee but not for me. Got it.
- Carbondale Chronicle - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 2:17 pm:
Anyone remember who Syverson beat to get this seat and in what year?
- Asteroid of Caution - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 2:53 pm:
It’s like Nicolosi googled Syverson’s 90s agenda.
If he gets a tooth tattoo, too, look out.
- Frank talks - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 2:57 pm:
You should probably know the conditions of the job before applying. Just saying
- Bud's Bar Stool - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 3:03 pm:
Did Syverson know all along, when he helped coordinate Rick Nielsen’s repeated visits to the Capitol to lobby for the Rockford casino license, that Nielsen’s wife was angling for an ownership interest in the casino - something that clearly was not publicly disclosed at the time of the lobbying?
True conservative, indeed.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 3:04 pm:
47th Ward, Spot On.
- Rockford T-Ship GOP - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 3:23 pm:
Even that Eli guys walk card is a lie. He using a picture that shows him about 80lbs lighter from years ago when he ran for township office… Lol
- Your Mom - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 4:08 pm:
Should be interesting Syverson has had some close elections. Manzullo was for term limits, stayed too long and lost to Kinzinger, just sayin.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 4:47 pm:
==Anyone remember who Syverson beat to get this seat and in what year?==
Joyce Holmberg is 1992. Syverson ran as the hot, young conservative, full of “contract on America” stuff. He’s the same guy, just willing to say different things today to stay elected.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 4:57 pm:
Let’s put a real fine point on who Syverson.
K? Let’s really put a fine-fine point on Syverson.
Syverson was a member of the Fab Five.
Peter Fitzgerald
Patrick O’Malley
Chris Lauzen
Steve Rauschenberger
I mean… when you’re the last of a “young” group of fiery legislators knocking on 30 years, and you’re actually everything you detested when you ran as a “Fab 5”… can’t get much more phony than that.
I don’t begrudge the tenure, but I do take umbrage to what Syverson is now, and what he was allegedly all those years ago… and no reconciling of the two… less this…
===I’m working for nothing every year. I maxed out at 20 years. If I quit today my pension would be more than what my salary is, so I’m actually working for nothing===
Tells you all you need to know, in context to that “Fab 5” pedigree… and becoming what they detested.
Good on him, I guess.
- Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 5:28 pm:
“I guess I’m the real conservative” is pretty good.
- low level - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 7:52 pm:
The comment about so much being staff driven when you are new. So much of it is staff driven when youve been there a while.
In states with term limits, even more power is in the hands of lobbyists and staff. They are the only ones with the institutional knowledge. The limit only applies to the lawmaker, not staff or anyone else.
Would you rather have a lawmaker who is knowledgable on the issues as a result of having served or do you want that person having to leave as soon as they gain that experience?
Term limits sound good in theory. In practice, they create more problems.