* Subscribers have been watching this play out for hours…

Senate GOP is using this attendance issue to protest the Democrats’ judicial maps and technical changes to the updated election law, not to mention the ongoing “Zoom legislature” that’s going on its third year with rules that allow video conference calls and remote voting.

— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) January 5, 2022

I’ve been asking for a statement from Leader McConchie explaining why he’s doing this for well over an hour.

* Just before noon, after hearing multiple rumors of a lack of a quorum, I asked the Senate Republicans how many of their members were at the Capitol and their spokesperson said this…

Right now, only Leader McConchie is in the Capitol.

The Senate Democrats were clearly short on their attendance. The chamber was supposed to convene at 11 o’clock, but that was moved back to 2 o’clcock while they tried to convince members to get their rears to town. As long as the Republicans stayed out of the building, they could stop a quorum.

* It seems clear that the Republicans are quite upset with the way the subcircuit remap bill is being jammed through. And Leader McConchie had this to say after the bill was debated in Senate Executive Committee this afternoon…

I will just say that I’m, again deeply disappointed at the redistricting process on a number of levels. I will say mostly in regards to the lack of transparency in regards to this process, and I mean, this is something that not only have I raised, but also the courts have raised, also government groups have raised on multiple levels. I just think it is counterproductive to I’ll say small d democratic process. At the end of the day, our goal needs to be for the people of this state to have faith in government. And I would say that the manner in which this has been done, as well as many other things, seems to cause people to not have that faith. And so, at some point, I hope that we’ll be able to figure out the mechanism and the majority will actually welcome a robust debate and full transparency in regards to anything that we do here in this building.

Anyway, the Senate Democrats are holding a caucus meeting at 2 o’clock, so we should know more soon.

There’s also been a delay in getting SHIELD covid test results back for several members, I’m told (but that was from a House member).

*** UPDATE 1 *** Senate President Don Harmon just told his members during caucus that they have 29 Democrats in Springfield, with a couple more driving down. That would give them a quorum, but two members have issues and can’t be on the floor (you can probably guess what that is). So, we’ll see what happens next.

*** UPDATE 2 *** I guess he doesn’t believe what Harmon told his members…

The current situation indicates that the Senate Democrats do not have of a quorum of their own members at this time. While the situation unfolds, here is a statement from Leader McConchie:

“Senate Republicans continue to stand up for democracy as they have throughout the entire redistricting process. Unfortunately, Democrats have clearly had only one thing in mind and that is power at all costs, even at the expense of democracy. As was stated today in committee, partisanship was a factor in drawing the sub circuit maps. Our caucus will not assist in any effort to corrupt our judicial system through partisan gerrymandering. If the Democrats want a power grab of our courts, they can do it on their own. The judicial branch, above all, should be held to a higher standard than this sort of politicization.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** The House Republicans were off the floor during the attendance roll call. But the Democrats had 62 votes. They have a quorum…

Republican Rep. Mark Batinick then walked onto the floor and requested a Republican caucus for an hour. They’ll be back in action sometime after 4 o’clock.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Senate now has a quorum. Several members were also allowed to participate remotely, including Sen. Bailey.

       

41 Comments - Wow - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 1:59 pm: What a great move by the Republican Leader!!! - Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:04 pm: You can always count on this legislature to act secretively and quickly on matters pertaining to the careers of them and their friends. This legislature will with amazing speed on “fixing” the petition signature issue for example. But dealing with the problems facing the state and its citizens, “Oh geez….we don’t have time for that. Covid, blah blah….time to debate blah blah.” - Lori's Fedora - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:17 pm: That’ll show em! It’s sad and pathetic that this is the only way for 19 Senate Republicans to be relevant. Too bad for them it will only last one day. - Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:19 pm: ===As long as the Republicans stayed out of the building, they could stop a quorum.=== Let’s look on the bright side, at least they’re not organizing an insurrection to assault the Capitol during session in order to prevent democratically elected government from carrying out their constitutional duties. This is a big improvement from last year. - 2022thoughts - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:22 pm: == - Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:04 pm: You can always count on this legislature to act secretively and quickly on matters pertaining to the careers of them and their friends. This legislature will with amazing speed on “fixing” the petition signature issue for example. But dealing with the problems facing the state and its citizens, “Oh geez….we don’t have time for that. Covid, blah blah….time to debate blah blah.” == Is there ANYTHING the legislature could do that would make you happy? - Manchester - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:25 pm: This would be the same Leader McConchie that begs for reconciliation? Yeah, right. Loser. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:26 pm: ===19 Senate Republicans to be relevant=== 18 - PublicServant - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:29 pm: The Republicans are, once again, doing what they were elected to do; disrupt government as much as possible. Shocking. - Quarantine?? - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:32 pm: Sen Hastings Jan 3 tweet about being Covid positive, but is now rumored to be driving to Springfield to make quorum? - JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:39 pm: =Let’s look on the bright side, at least they’re not organizing an insurrection to assault the Capitol during session in order to prevent democratically elected government from carrying out their constitutional duties. This is a big improvement from last year.= Rich, please count this as my nomination for Candy Dogood as the commentator of the year, decade, century. That is so good, I can hardly take it. Just outstanding and 100% dead on true. Well done. - Mischievous - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:42 pm: 29 + McConchie = quorum - Dem Hypocrisy? - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:52 pm: I’d be curious to know how many commentators deriding the Senate R’s here lauded the Texas Dems who took a private plane to DC last year to do the same thing. - Leslie K - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:53 pm: Maybe the Senate is trying to up their CapitolFax comment rate by creating some drama. Like on reality shows. - Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:58 pm: Rookie move by Senate President Don Harmon - always know you have a quorum and the votes before moving On legislation. - JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:59 pm: = Unfortunately, Democrats have clearly had only one thing in mind and that is power at all costs, even at the expense of democracy.= Sen. McConchie, explain Jan 6 to me and how that was not “power at all costs”. At least the DPI is going through the legit process. Maybe come up with ideas that will win elections. =I’d be curious to know how many commentators deriding the Senate R’s here lauded the Texas Dems who took a private plane to DC last year to do the same thing.= I don’t blame the ‘publicans for the approach. The democrats should have their members present. I would do the same thing, just without all the cry baby stuff. I mean if you are going to be the party of the tough-guy, law and order stuff, then walk the talk. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:06 pm: Didn’t McConchie just release a statement this morning about working together? - Give Us Barabbas - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:11 pm: I’m reminded of the time Lincoln had to jump out a window to avoid a quorum call and vote on something awkward. - Hamlet's Ghost - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:12 pm: Unforced errors on both sides. SDems look foolish and McConchie has proven his words earlier today about both sides were meaningless. Also, unlike the Texas Dems leaving the state (or the Wisconsin Dems, for that matter), this is scarcely a speed bump for the IL Senate. Lose at most a day or two of session. - Outsider - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:12 pm: Leader McConchie continues to impress. The caucus is much better positioned with him at the helm. Cannot say the same for the House… - Homebody - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:23 pm: “Republican Rep. Mark Batinick then walked onto the floor and requested a Republican caucus for an hour. They’ll be back in action sometime after 4 o’clock.” Thanks for wasting everyone’s time, guys. - PublicServant - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:23 pm: === The judicial branch, above all, should be held to a higher standard than this sort of politicization. === Tell that to McConnell - hmmm - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 4:01 pm: ==Rookie move by Senate President Don Harmon - always know you have a quorum and the votes before moving On legislation.== This didn’t age very well. - SpiDem - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 4:48 pm: Do we have a record of the quorum call anywhere? - Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 4:48 pm: ===Senate Republicans continue to stand up for democracy=== In minority leader McConchie’s version of democracy women, people of color, and LGBT folks don’t count as complete persons and certainly don’t have full citizenship. I don’t have much interest in the Republican version of democracy. I prefer a government where all of the people count as people. - Really? - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 4:54 pm: Candy “do good” what evidence do you have to support that claim on McConchie’s worldview? - Really? - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 4:57 pm: Btw the House isn’t back in session yet because in the Democrats version of democracy where they ram through a bill to pack the courts they got the number of judges they want wrong. - Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:03 pm: 6 or 7 SGOP decided to join Leader McConchie on the Senate floor after it was determined a quorum was present. So they were here all along? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:08 pm: ===record of the quorum call === There is no such thing in the Senate. - NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:28 pm: Regarding the judicial subcircuit remap. Why weren’t the 24 Circuit Court districts reapportioned this session? As the subcircuts and Supreme Court districts were this session. - low level - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:29 pm: The point about TX Dems - yes, I think quorum jumping or running away is dumb. Show up and vote. You’ll lose, but then take that case to the voters - Nefarious Veneer - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:32 pm: Now I understand why Whitney got out of the SGOP. That ill-conceived stunts like this didn’t happen under her watch tells you how good she is. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 6:12 pm: I really don’t know what the GOP gained here today. Truly. What was won? - Been There - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 6:39 pm: ==== What was won?==== Well, we are talking about them. I guess that could be considered something since they rarely come up in conversation. - Hamlet's Ghost - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:17 pm: == Senate now has a quorum == Key takeaway (IMHO)- Harmon was careless and sloppy. McConchie demonstrated why he deserves to be ignored. Harmon: -1 McConchie: -10 - Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:20 pm: 2022thoughts - 1. Address the State’s outmigration. Our peer states grew in the past decade, our state barely stayed the same. 2. Address the outrageous property tax system and provide relief to homeowners whose taxes are greater than their mortgage. 3. Fix our State’s higher education system, which is a big part of #1. Shall I go on? - Mischievous - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:24 pm: I’m with Willy on this. Don’t get the GOP play here. If you’re going to walk out, you walk out. They failed to derail this from a parliamentary standpoint and then surrendered any communications advantage they had by showing up and participating in what they had called an illegitimate process. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:35 pm: Just Me 2, great ideas. All you gotta do now is find the tens of billions of dollars to pay for it. - Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:08 pm: Rich - what do you think is the cause of our state’s outmigration? Do you think a solution is for the State to magically give people money to stay? What makes you think the solution is going to cost the state money? And property taxes - Just look at the mess in Cook County right now. The State can solve that in part by reforming the system created by Mike Madigan to ensure that Mike Madigan and his pals make money. What about more tax caps that ensure local governments don’t automatically raise taxes every year and have to maybe, perhaps, possibly go to the taxpayers with referendums if they want more cash? - Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 9:11 pm: To make it easier for you I’ll give you a huge assist on outmigration - when you talk to employers about relocating or investing in Illinois they all have the same concern: government dsyfunction. Solving that wouldn’t cost the state a penny. Just look at the dumpster fire at the state capitol today if you need proof. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 10:12 pm: Just Me 2, you’re not a serious person. - Jibba - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 10:32 pm: ===government dsyfunction. Solving that wouldn’t cost the state a penny.=== Paying the bills and getting credit rating updates seems to be what you’re wanting. Boy do I wish some governor was doing that. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.