* As subscribers know, Speaker Welch overcame one heck of a lot of objections today…
Democrat voting No: Guerrero-Cuellar.
Democrat not voting: Cassidy.
*** UPDATE *** I’ll post react as it comes in. Casten…
U.S. Congressman Sean Casten released the following statement regarding the congressional maps approved by the Illinois General Assembly:
“Each decade, our state assembly has an important constitutional obligation to ensure Illinoisans have congressional representation that reflects the vast geography and diversity of our state,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I remain focused on fighting for my constituents as we work to make historic investments in climate action, families, and workers for the sixth district of Illinois.”
* Wasserman may not be wrong, but…
* Speaker Chris Welch…
I want to congratulate everyone who had a hand in this incredibly successful and historical veto session. We were able to ensure our state has effective tools to fight this pandemic. We repealed the final anti-abortion law on the books in Illinois. We provided incentives for electric vehicle manufacturers to ensure Illinois remains at the forefront of a clean energy future. And, we approved a historic map that offers a new coalition district for minority representation. This is the type of work the people of our state deserve. I want to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the numerous advocacy groups and grassroots organizations who helped us achieve these momentous victories
* Sen. Barickman…
State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) released the following statement following the Illinois Senate’s vote to approve a new Congressional map:
“One things that’s become clear throughout the legislative process, is that Governor Pritzker and his allies have no interest in doing what is best for the people of Illinois. Governor Pritzker already broke his clear promise to voters when he signed two state legislative maps into law. Now as we’ve moved into the Congressional map process, Pritzker is not only going along with the gerrymandering process, he has been confirmed to be an active participant, through secret, closed-door meetings and backroom deals. The product of this broken process will take away choices from voters, further entrench politicians with extreme viewpoints, and disenfranchise people from one end of the state to the other.”
* Rep. Kelly Cassidy…
The evolution of this map resulted in two women I strongly admire getting short shrift. I am strongly supportive of the creation of a second Latino district and know that hard choices had to be made to accomplish that, but I couldn’t bring myself to support a process that left two strong women leaders’ voices out. As we work to ensure the map reflects the diversity of our state, it does a lot to accomplish that goal but falls short in terms of recognizing the need for more women in leadership roles as we watch the steady march towards the reversal of Roe v Wade.
* Illinois House Latino Caucus…
After a long, public process led by one of our own, Leader Lisa Hernandez, the Illinois House Latino Caucus applauds the historic congressional map passed by both chambers tonight. A product of notable collaboration, we are pleased this map will include a second district of significant Latino representation. This would be the first time in Illinois’ history that the Latino community can influence two congressional districts. If signed into law, this map will only add to Illinois’ reputation as being a model for the nation when it comes to minority representation.
- unclesam - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 12:31 am:
I’ll just leave this here: Moylan
- ;) - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 12:31 am:
Kudos to Rep Guerrero-Cuellar.
- Nick - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 12:43 am:
Well, can’t say it wasn’t without drama, but they got it done
- Politics is a dirty business - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 12:47 am:
Casten stays classy and above the fray with his public statement. The tone markedly different from that taken by Newman - publicly going after another member of your delegation - well it leaves everyone wondering if they are next.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 12:54 am:
===Moylan===
Stuff happens.
- Jack - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 1:14 am:
Thirteen Days in October
- Wondering - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 1:29 am:
Who besides Newman does Cassidy think got robbed? She says “two women.”
- Boomerang - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 4:11 am:
== Who besides Newman does Cassidy think got robbed? She says “two women.”==
Guerrero-Cuellar
- Original Anon - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 7:50 am:
I asked in a different post, but why did Democrats work to protect Rodney Davis by shifting him from a competitive district to a safe Republican district? I know the media take is this was to entice Davis to stay and not run against Pritzker, but I find it hard to believe anyone fears a Davis for Gov campaign.
- Captain Obvious - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:08 am:
Perhaps they wish to entice Kinzinger into the governor’s race figuring he won’t make it past the Trumpers in the primary. If so they may want to be careful what they wish for, as the saying goes.
- Independent - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:09 am:
Rodney Taylor has had to walk a very fine line in his current district. Be Trumpy enough not to get primaried but not so much as to completely turn off moderates and Independents. Now that’s out the window, along with the need for any pretense of bipartisanship. He’ll have to swing to the far right to avoid future primary challenges. It will be interesting to hear from him in the coming months. He’s certainly malleable enough to make it work.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:13 am:
=== Perhaps they wish to entice Kinzinger into the governor’s race figuring he won’t make it past the Trumpers in the primary. If so they may want to be careful what they wish for, as the saying goes.===
Kinzinger faces a real constituency problem with a statewide run for governor and Kinzinger seemingly loves his national TV persona, a run for governor is a non-starter times 10
=== Rodney … has had to walk a very fine line in his current district. Be Trumpy enough not to get primaried but not so much as to completely turn off moderates and Independents.===
Who exactly is going to beat Davis in a *general election* with that district?
- Independent - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:15 am:
I’m referring to Taylor’s current district with the university towns, not his future district.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:17 am:
Who is Taylor? /s
It won’t matter “currently”, in less than a year it will be the voters of the new district that matter, electorally
- Independent - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:18 am:
Rodney Davis of course, from Taylorville. I get those conflated at times.
- Independent - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:19 am:
Yes. That’s why I’m saying it will be interesting to watch Davis shape shift over time.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:24 am:
=== Yes. That’s why I’m saying it will be interesting to watch Davis shape shift over time.===
Who exactly can beat him in a primary besides maybe Miller?
It’s like Bost. Miller’s decision will be to try to “out Bost” Mike Bost or run right of Davis, the winner there, no need to scurry to the center all that quick.
- Pundent - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:25 am:
=Who besides Newman does Cassidy think got robbed?=
Must be Mary Miller. Who knew? /s
- Quibbler - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:34 am:
Team Newman.
Also, honest question: can anyone point to a recent example of a GOP-controlled redistricting in any state where two sitting GOP members were pitted against each other?
- Karen - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:38 am:
How did Rep Guerrero-Cuellar get “robbed?” Is her home now outside of the southwest side majority latino Congressional district?
- John Lopez - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:44 am:
Now that the maps are approved and only a signature away from being official, what will Adam Kinzinger do, and not do, in 2022?
He will not primary Darin LaHood, and Kinzinger said recently he wants to seek reelection to the House.
To accomplish both, he’ll have to seek reelection in a different House district, but which one?
Through Sept 30, he has $3.3 million in his FEC campaign account.
Kinzinger will do what he wants to do, and he doesn’t have to make a decision until January. He’ll take his time, maybe even wait until after him and wife’s baby is born in January.
And maybe once Kinzinger becomes a dad, he may simply retire from the House? We’ll see.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 8:53 am:
- John Lopez -, shorter.
“Kinzinger will wait and see”
You and Wasserman …going on limbs, lol
- JS Mill - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 9:08 am:
he whole map issue is more of a meh for me because, at the end of the process, the democrats were going to get what they wanted more or less. And most people are totally disinterested.
The hand wringing and consternation on the part of the ILGOP only continues to highlight their real issue in Illinois and it is one right in front of their noses which they simply refuse to acknowledge. The vast majority of voters in Illinois do not like what they have to offer. Plean and simple, no other thought needed. But they would rather throw tantrums than acknowledge and address that singular fact.
- Wally - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 9:34 am:
…and, Kinzinger has announced that he’s not running again (video on his twitter feed).
- John Lopez - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 9:39 am:
I just got the email from Kinzinger.
“I have big news to share that I want you to hear from me first: I’ve decided not to run for re-election to the House of Representatives in November 2022.
“The reason is simple: Leading a movement to save the Republic is more important to me than winning a seat or title for myself. And let’s be honest, the real progress and renewal that we’re hungry for isn’t going to come from politics as usual.”
Wow, Kinzinger didn’t waste time.
- Amalia - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 10:01 am:
Hmmmm, remember when some (of us) were complaining that one Hispanic potential district was too little compared with population stats? Better chance with this new, final, map. Right thing to do.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 10:13 am:
Does David Gill give the new 17th a shot next year?
- City Zen - Friday, Oct 29, 21 @ 10:37 am:
“I am strongly supportive of the creation of a second Latino district…”
Yet didn’t vote for it. So maybe mildly supportive.