Q: First, your reaction to House Bill 4293 not being called in the House. And secondly, why do you think you and your team were unable to whip the support needed for the Speaker to put it on the board?
Pritzker: Well, maybe we ought to start with what the purpose of the bill was, which was to protect children and families and adults and people of Illinois from very unsafe, intoxicating hemp products that are sold without regard to the age of the purchaser, without regard to the ingredients that are inside those packages that are being sold at convenience stores and at gas stations, and that we already have seen children go to the hospital for, and adults too. And I talked to a mother of a daughter who took one of these packages didn’t understand how intoxicating the package was, and ended up passed out, ended up in the hospital, has been in and out of the hospital now for eight months as a result of just this product that looked, you know, at all, for all respects, as if it were candy. Some of these products, if you’ve ever seen them, it’ll say Skittles on the front with a “z,” and they’re not Skittles, like the ones that you know, but rather this intoxicating hemp. So what we’re trying to do is keep people protected from products like that. This is consumer safety and health.
I was tremendously disappointed that this is a demonstration, from my perspective, of the power of special interests and the money that they spread around to thwart the health and safety of the public. And you know, this was the choice by a number of people to go for profits over people. And I was disappointed to see that. Now I want to be clear, if this had come up for a vote, if the Speaker had called this, this would have passed with a super majority. We know that the vast majority of Democrats were in favor of it, and the vast majority of Republicans were in favor. So the fact that didn’t get called, a bipartisan bill to safeguard the people of the state of Illinois is a tragedy.
Q: Are you considering whether to instruct IDPH to interpret the Illinois Food and Drug Act defining hemp products to be an intoxicating substance?
Pritzker: We’re looking at all the options that are available to me in the executive branch to secure the safety and health of the people from these intoxicating hemp products. And I want to make clear to everybody, because I know the other side on this, people who are advocating for these packages to be just available. They’ve been making the case that we’re going to shut down CBD oil, or these shops that are good actors that are just selling products that come from hemp, which, by the way, I signed a bill to legalize in the state, to make sure that products can be sold safely, and they found a loophole to jump through. But the people who are doing it safely and who are providing products that many people use day to day are not the ones who are involved here. It’s others. And so I want to make sure that we’re using every possible power that I have in the executive branch to deal with, but it does take legislation to do some of the things.
Q: What are your thoughts on yesterday’s House Democratic Caucus meeting, particularly in regard to what happened with your staffers?
Pritzker: So, for those of you who don’t know, we were invited to bring our experts from our departments to the House Democratic Caucus meeting to present to the members and to answer questions of the members.
These are professionals. These are really top-notch professionals. No political, anything involved. They literally were there to answer questions and to provide information, and they were berated by people who were opposed to the bill. They were berated. They were called liars. They were treated extremely poorly. One of my staff people had to get up and leave because she felt ganged up upon and called a liar and pointed at. And I mean, it was frightening for her.
And so I have to say, treating staff people like that. I mean, politicians can take it. Politicians are, you know, should be made of enough steel to deal with. These are professionals and that we want to attract to state government. We want to stay in state government. To have them treated poorly by elected officials is, frankly, unacceptable. And I told that to the Speaker, I have made it clear that people owe my staff, those staff people, I would say my staff, these are people work in our departments. They are owed apologies by the people who impugned their policy.
Q: Obviously, it doesn’t seem to get any easier from here a challenging budget cycle coming up. Transit agencies need money. Tier Two pension issues. Are you confident in Speaker Welch’s ability to deliver votes from his caucus for a lot of these tough issues that you’re going to be facing in the session ahead?
Pritzker: I’d like to say that there have been easy years since I became governor to get things done. We’ve been going after big things. Balancing the budget in the state of Illinois is never an easy thing, but we’ve done it for six years in a row, and we’re going to do it again. But, yeah, they’re big challenges to overcome and certainly what happened with regard to the hemp bill is, you know, is potentially a demonstration of challenges that the House will have in organizing to overcome some of the challenges that we’re going to face this spring.
Q: The mayor of Chicago has talked a number of times about his team communicating with your team on lots of issues, like CPS, CTU, migrants, hemp. Can you talk about how often you talk to him or his administration, or how often your team talks to him or the administration, and what those conversations are like? Is it a meeting? Is it a phone call?
Pritzker: When they reach out to us to ask me, either to talk about any particular topic, and remember, we’ve got cities and towns all over the state of Illinois that I engage with. Chicago is certainly the largest, but we have lots of mayors and county board members and chairs that we talk to. Whenever they reach out, we talk to them. And the same is true with the Mayor of the City of Chicago and his staff. They don’t reach out that often. And it seems like they don’t have good relationships in Springfield, in part because they don’t do the outreach that’s necessary. But again, I’m always, I’ve taken calls from the mayor whenever he’s, you know, he has my direct number. He calls me whatever he needs to. He doesn’t call very often. Maybe in the time that he’s been there, he’s called me, perhaps five times, that’s two years almost. And I have no reticence to call him if I, you know, if there’s something that I want to raise with him and my staff has no [garbled]. But you know, look, the lines of communications are open, but people have to take advantage of the open communication line. And often that didn’t happen. That didn’t happen with the the hemp bill. Didn’t call anybody in my administration. Never raised it. And with regard to his budget, literally, the last call that we got from them was in September, and then once in December, we, by the way, scheduled calls, and then they didn’t show up. And then there was a December call that happened in which they didn’t ask for anything. They just …reported on what was in the budget and then other no other communication. But again, he has my number. They have all of our staff numbers. We’re open to anything they’d like to talk about.
Q: How much influence do you think Mayor Johnson had with the hemp bill’s demise, and do you think any House Democrats lied to you about their votes on the hemp bill? Do you think maybe they had different positions?
Pritzker: No, I mean, I don’t think people lied. I mean, I’d like to think that people didn’t lie to us. They told us that they would vote for it, and indeed, there were many, many people ready to vote for it. And as I told you, if you put this up to a vote, you get a majority of Democrats and the majority of Republicans that would vote for it. And this is an important issue. So, I wish it had been called. I think that it’s, I think not calling it was irresponsible.
Q: And on Mayor Johnson?
Pritzker: I think that the mayor, you know, my impression is he didn’t have much to do with this. There’s a there’s a powerful lobby that has been working against this bill for quite some time. This was not an easy bill. If it had been, it would have passed last May, when it passed the Senate, they would have passed it in the House. They worked hard in the House to keep it from from getting a vote in May and and in December. I let people know that I thought it’s important for us to get this done this year, because every day that goes by, there are people buying these products, and there are people whose health is being put in danger with these products. And so it’s like I said, it’s a tragedy that the bill didn’t pass. The mayor had very little to do with the ultimate result. I think it was, there was a raucous meeting of the Democratic House caucus in which there was a lot of yelling at staff by people who are opposed to the bill that the Speaker did not intervene about, and you shouldn’t let staff get berated like that, you just shouldn’t.
Please pardon any transcription errors.
Discuss.
Rep. La Shawn Ford is the one who reached out, although I’m told by multiple sources that his apology in caucus today wasn’t much of an apology. Others have not made an effort to apologize, however.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:09 pm:
That is as close to a bus toss from JB to BJ in public as I have ever seen.
- ElTacoBandito - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:15 pm:
== there was a lot of yelling at staff by people who are opposed to the bill that the Speaker did not intervene about, and you shouldn’t let staff get berated like that, you just shouldn’t.==
I think he is a lot more upset with Welch than with BJ. I don’t think he takes BJ seriously enough to get upset with him, just annoyed.
- Who else - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:16 pm:
If you don’t understand the importance of treating staff with respect, you will not have quality staff that stick around. That’s a lesson both the Speaker and the Mayor have often been taught, but have not learned from.
If your staff turns over so often they can’t even find the bathrooms in the capital they’re going to have a hard time finding their “seat at the table”, let alone running the table.
Nothing– literally nothing– gets done without staff. Good luck to both these men. And good luck to all staff. You’re clearly on your own in those shops.
- Oklahoma - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:18 pm:
JB to BJ:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqF_A6bsyEw
- 44 - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:24 pm:
I will have to investigate this more, but this special interest lobby needs a lot more sunshine. Must be a lot of $ at stake to stir all of this up. I really wish politicians would speak honestly and directly like this all the time. If JB really wants to be a national leader it’s time to deal with BJ even more directly. Clean up the mess. It will be hard and a big fight but do what’s right. Good start with these words.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:24 pm:
oh, yeah, staffers have never been treated with disrespect by elected officials for whom they do not work. yelled at, pleaded with out of bounds. no, it’s not nice. but it’s not news. I got lots of stories.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:25 pm:
Once again, we see the ego of politicians turning them into mini kings who feel they’re all powerful and don’t tolerate any disagreement. They feel this grants them the right to treat people with disrespect. The names of these jerks should be made known to all.
- Dakno Thing - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:26 pm:
I really really really appreciate the Governor standing up for staff like this. It speaks volumes bc staff is so often ignored and treated badly and never defended or advocated for. There is a reason the Governor keeps staff for years and years and years and has the most knowledgeable and competent people working for him and it’s because of these comments above.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:28 pm:
===Must be a lot of $ at stake===
Not really. At least, not in comparison to the truly big money that’s out there.
- RandomHero - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:29 pm:
How long until BJ says JB’s criticism is only because he doesn’t want to see a black man succeed?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:30 pm:
===no, it’s not nice. but it’s not news===
This is 2025. For staff to be berated in the open like this is inexcusable.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:30 pm:
Abusing the staff of a billionaire who is incredibly loyal to his people is certainly one way to make the next primary campaign unnecessarily interesting.
– MrJM
- sunshine is my life - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:32 pm:
JB going to publicly call out those responsible? if not, then he is guilty as well for not defending his staff and naming the folks who did this.
- Because I Said So…. - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:33 pm:
Things in caucus should never been allowed to escalate to the level it reached yesterday.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:33 pm:
===then he is guilty as well===
Hilarious.
- ItsMillerTime - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:37 pm:
No wonder the House staff want to unionize. If the Speakers lets his members yell at and insult representatives of the Governor I can only imagine what he allows them do to his own staff.
- I-55 Fanatic - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:40 pm:
“…then he is guilty as well for not defending his staff…”
Except that’s literally what he did here. He defended them. That’s what this is. Also, the many people who were in the room already know who said what, and it should be left at that.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:43 pm:
==They don’t reach out that often. And it seems like they don’t have good relationships in Springfield, in part because they don’t do the outreach that’s necessary==
Hello? 5th Floor? Anyone there? Or 4th Floor (IGA)?
- Laura - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:47 pm:
Perhaps this is simply a preview of how Democrats intend to address internal constructive criticism of their sacred cows that proved very costly to Kamala Harris? Civil discourse is the first step in effecting any positive change. If this it not possible, the Democratic Party is in for a very rough ride.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:50 pm:
Why berate some IDPH expert on this when you can just say you’d vote no? It sounds like some HDems really have an inflated sense of their own power.
- Two Left Feet - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:51 pm:
Martinez was fired for not advocating enough in Springfield for CPS.
What has the Mayor done:
1. five phone calls over almost two years
2. ghosted meetings
3. a meeting that didn’t ask for anything
What exactly has Martinez done in Springfield? The Mayor has set the bar low. Just include the delta in the wrongful termination lawsuit.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:51 pm:
Laura, I’m not sure I follow anything that you’re trying to say. Try not to speak in code.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:52 pm:
===Martinez was fired for not advocating enough in Springfield for CPS. ===
Yeah, OK. That’s totally why.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:52 pm:
===but it’s not news. I got lots of stories.===
I’m sorry to hear that you have those experiences. I hope you’re able to get to a place where you recognize that people shouldn’t be treated that way in the work place.
- Susan Delgado - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:57 pm:
Completely aside from the merits of the conversation, it’s refreshing to hear the Governor speak openly and answer questions directly. Especially having just listened to MBJ on WTTW last night.
- obvious - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 12:58 pm:
If you have lived under a rock and didn’t realize House staff have been berated and treated horribly for the past few years you now might have a glimpse of the treatment. The experience of Governor Pritzker’s staff was horrible and sadly nothing compared to what the House staffers go through all the time.
- obvious - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:02 pm:
== Things in caucus should never been allowed to escalate to the level it reached yesterday. ==
Yesterday was the norm for this caucus
- SameOldSameOld - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:03 pm:
ItsMillerTime hit the nail on the head. I’ve heard numerous reports of the way Speaker Welch lets his own staff be treated. I say lets because he does not know anything or intervene at all with staff unless it’s to brag on social media how wonderful his team is. Yet it’s been nearly three years and you haven’t met with your staff who are unionizing? That female staff were told to pull their skirts closer to their knees because “you know how these lobbyists are”? When you pay them pennies but continually have $1m leftover in your budget?
Good on the Governor for speaking up.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:05 pm:
=Martinez was fired for not advocating enough in Springfield for CPS.
What has the Mayor done:
1. five phone calls over almost two years
2. ghosted meetings
3. a meeting that didn’t ask for anything
What exactly has Martinez done in Springfield? The Mayor has set the bar low. Just include the delta in the wrongful termination lawsuit.=
It is obvious to me why this is happening. The mayor is a product of CTU leadership. They lead by demanding that someone else solve their problems, never by actually doing the work. I am not talking about rank and file members who are busy teaching in the classrooms, I am specifically talking about leadership. Platitudes and demands is all they and Johnson know. Not the hard work of actual solutions and that is why Johnson behaves the way he does.
- Well, there's that - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:05 pm:
Staff changes, member factions, caucus eruptions… the Speaker is lucky he’s up for Speaker election tomorrow and not a month from now when someone could put up a real challenge to his leadership.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:09 pm:
Chicago media were setting this up as a “Mayor Johnson v. Governor Pritzker” showdown…the Governor seems to be implying here that the Mayor was irrelevant to the final outcome, or any outcome in Springfield.
- Firefighter Tim - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:13 pm:
The Governor is just running the Trump playbook at this point. Point the finger, and accuse others of what you are doing. The Governor and proponents of this legislation are pushing it in this manner because they are beholden to the marijuana industry, who is only trying to take out a competitor.
There is a clear path to regulation and safety, but that is not what the goal is…so no bill.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:18 pm:
===I got lots of stories.===
I do too. That doesn’t mean all of the people who come after should have to go through it too
- JR - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:18 pm:
Anyone else google the word impugned, or was it just me.
- sewer thoughts - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
interesting to see the Speaker’s alliance with the Governor dissolve a bit. Any room for a Harmon-Pritzker summit?
- Cole Preston - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:25 pm:
Rich, thank you for covering and transcribing this important Q&A with the Governor. As a cannabis consumer with no interest in the business of selling cannabis, I can confidently say that hemp has been a game-changer for those of us in Illinois who value an open and competitive market. I fully agree that these products should be accurately tested, clearly labeled, and kept out of the hands of minors.
That’s why I support HB5903—it addresses the public safety concerns highlighted by Governor Pritzker and others without playing economic favorites. While this issue is often framed as a matter of public health, it’s become clear that: at its core, this is about limited licensing. Under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, the hard cap on cannabis licenses stifles competition (and prevents price compression). As consumers, we want to vote with our dollars legally, but we can’t do that until everyone is allowed to be on the ballot.
This is the key distinction between HB5903 and the proposal Governor Pritzker has endorsed. HB4293 would target local retailers by adding $10,000 daily fines plus all existing criminal penalties under the 1978 Cannabis Control Act.
Cannabis licensing should be open and accessible. As Crain’s Chicago aptly noted during the early days of legalization: “A better approach will be to remove the cap on licenses while adopting a set of reasonable licensing standards meant to ensure the solvency and integrity of the industry. Anybody who meets those standards should get a license.”
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
“Also, the many people who were in the room already know who said what, and it should be left at that.”
Some news just isn’t fit for public consumption right? Someone in power can let us plebes know when we deserve to be informed. Until then we should know our place and let the IL Legislature’s big brains do what they do.
- Cole Preston - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
I should also highlight something notable about HB4293. According to Lightford, the bill would not have restricted the online sale of hemp products from out-of-state retailers, as the state legislature cannot regulate interstate commerce of a federally legal commodity. Instead, it exclusively targeted in-state retailers.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
Again, JB proves that he’s the adult in the room. All the allies that MBJ gathers round provide little in the way of governance and experience.
So five calls to the Governor’s office in two years. Wow. Guess Brandon was too busy with hair and makeup to tend to the responsibilities of his office.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:38 pm:
==The Governor is just running the Trump playbook at this point. Point the finger, and accuse others of what you are doing. ==
You’re gonna need to show your math on this one.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:44 pm:
Is decency that hard of an ask today? Seems so.
- VK - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:46 pm:
Lotta old school staffers once again talking about how they had to walk to the capitol up hill both ways in the snow so these youngsters need to toughen up wandering around today.
I would encourage all of those individuals to hurry on home and take their back pills. Perhaps they will help you remember how you wished someone would come along and make things better when you were going through that nonsense and help you to realize *you could be that person*.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 1:58 pm:
Democrats are supposed to believe in equity and fairness and treating your own employees with respect is core to that belief. Either you are for the entire project or you can join the Freedom Caucus.
- Interested observer - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 2:11 pm:
“Lotta old school staffers once again talking about how they had to walk to the capitol up hill both ways in the snow so these youngsters need to toughen up wandering around today.” Having been on the receiving end of all kinds of absurd abuse from legislators, I think this behavior is often part of what drives people to run for elected office. I think it’s too deep for changes in culture to uproot, and so it’s part of what staffers have to deal with. I’d be happy to be wrong here
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 2:17 pm:
“There is a clear path to regulation and safety…”
Perhaps you could share with us your enlightened vision of this “clear path.”
– MrJM
- ChicagoBars - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 2:20 pm:
I rise in support of @misterjayem’s comment. Because I sure as heck don’t see the “…clear path to regulation and safety…” either.
- Peanut Gallery - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 2:40 pm:
Has-been staffer here. Doesn’t matter if it’s been happening for ages- it shouldn’t be happening, period.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 2:40 pm:
==They lead by demanding that someone else solve their problems, never by actually doing the work.==
Spot on as usual, JS Mill
==The Governor is just running the Trump playbook at this point.==
LMAO. Yeah, go with that absurd nonsense.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 2:42 pm:
Sorry, to be clear, 2nd statement was not JS Mill but “Firefighter Tim”
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 2:56 pm:
Both sides should have worked to find a middle ground if this was truly about safety.
- Telly - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 3:30 pm:
The media unsurprisingly are focused on the Pritzker -Johnson fight. But the much, much more consequential conflict here is between the Governor and speaker.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 3:33 pm:
Telly is correct.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 3:40 pm:
The public DESERVES to know the names of those legislators who berated staffers and for those not speaking up they are just as guilty. Just vote no and show some class. Those sorry legislators are lucky it even got put up for debate in caucus because Pritzker would have had the victory on the floor. Pritzker is clearly angry so I’m reminded of a quote “when you come for the King; you better not miss,” as I’m sure he will find out the names and will remember what happened during lame duck with future legislation that legislators ask his support on.
- 0.0 - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 3:47 pm:
I am willing to bet that there will be apologies issued to the staffers by the end of the week, staff will accept, and things will move on. Too much for everyone to lose this session to get bogged down in this type of problem. If it doesn’t happen, I would expect ongoing conflict that can derail the legislative priorities of a lot of people.
- wildcat12 - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 3:47 pm:
=oh, yeah, staffers have never been treated with disrespect by elected officials for whom they do not work.=
Just because something happened in the past doesn’t mean it should continue to happen in the future. The idea that staff have to be treated poorly, worked to death and not appreciated is antiquated and leads to lots of turnover and ineffective work.
- TheNorthRemembers - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 3:52 pm:
We’ve known for a while that JB has two emerging problems on his hands. 1) Speaker’s inability to manage and 2) BJ’s ignorance in governance. If JB wants any hope on the national stage, they can’t keep embarrassing him like this. Speaker get it together or that Danny Davis seat might be someone else’s.
- Garfield Ridge Guy - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 4:11 pm:
==Both sides should have worked to find a middle ground if this was truly about safety.==
If this were truly about safety, doesn’t that imply that one side absolutely should not have tried to find a middle ground, because that middle ground would be less safe than their position?
- MaryLouise - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 4:35 pm:
Peanut Gallery: Yes, it has been going on forever.
Members brag about loving the people of the State of IL and how they are passing legislation to improve our lives. But, the standard is that staff is there to work 24/7 while the members go home or out to eat. Burning the midnite oil to analyze many goofy bills is totally ridiculous. We tell our kids at school to “be kind”. Give it a try elected ones.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 4:41 pm:
@GarfieldRidgeGuy - The bill was being pushed by CBAI because D8 encroaches on their dispensary revenue.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 4:51 pm:
==1) Speaker’s inability to manage and 2) BJ’s ignorance in governance.==
Very well said. Totally agree.
- yinn - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 4:56 pm:
There was a link posted here a couple months ago to a study of bullying in the legal profession.
I was impressed that they used the word instead of a euphemism. Everyone knows what bullying is, and then it’s a short step to understanding that it’s absurd to tolerate it in the workplace when we spend so much time and energy trying to stamp it out in schools.
Maybe reject the idea that bullying is acceptable in politics. You can apply leverage, play hardball all day long without disrespecting the other players.
- Olaf - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 5:15 pm:
When talking about improving things and grievances, don’t forget nonpartisan staffers…
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 5:18 pm:
so anxious to hear more about how things went in that meeting. exactly how were people treated. swearing at people? out of bounds. tough questions? appropriate. calling people stupid? out of bounds.
- What goes around - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 5:19 pm:
No one should be yelled at in that building and yet it does happen all the time as politics can be a contact sport. The staffers don’t deserve that, but CROO can be notoriously rude, and many people feel that they have actually lied…they were called out for that. The Governor’s people can be difficult to work with and act entitled. Maybe JB should present more training to his staff on how to be more approachable and collaborative. They work for the people of Illinois and yet constantly refuse to take meetings if it is something they don’t want to talk about. Again, never appropriate and we should treat everyone with respect… but any one knows that if you take a legislator through the wringer, they are going to clap back.
- Overlord - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 5:41 pm:
Speaker needs to get it together. You can’t function without quality staff. Governor Pritzker has professionalized his staff beyond any past governor in Illinois. Yes, Rich is correct, they have “sharp elbows”. But they are also sharp. The Senate staff is professionalized. There is only one staff that isn’t. And he has had three years to get it right.
- Former staffer - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 5:44 pm:
No one should be surprised about how the two agency staff were treated by the House Democrats. What is so shocking is that no one could muster the courage to step in? Not a single member of the caucus could speak up? I’m not surprised at all. Since Speaker Welch took over, staff has been treated very poorly from top to bottom.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 5:51 pm:
===Again, never appropriate and we should treat everyone with respect===
That should’ve been your full comment. Stop.
Some of y’all are really up your own behinds this week.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 6:13 pm:
- if you take a legislator through the wringer, they are going to clap back. -
What a crybaby response. Is there any evidence these staffers were rude to the legislators in question?
In my industry there are a fair amount of screamers. It doesn’t bother me, but I can tell you I don’t have any respect for people that conduct their business that way.
If that’s all you can bring to the table it says much more about you than anyone you’re screaming at.
- JB13 - Tuesday, Jan 7, 25 @ 8:05 pm:
If legislation has the backing of a majority of Democrats and a majority of Republicans, it should be called for a vote and passed. Period.
Allowing a minority of his own party to derail a bill that the majority of both caucuses support is not a good look. Some might describe it as “weak” or “amateurish,” even
- Felonious Gru - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 4:55 am:
=== Allowing a minority of his own party to derail a bill that the majority of both caucuses support ===
As Cole Preston points out, this has nothing to do with that. Or staff being “disrespected.” Or The Mayor.
This is about the cannabis industry trying to muscle through legislation to prevent competition to their heavily taxed, heavily priced, heavily unionized product.
Governor Pritzker and his staff are on the side of the cannabis industry.
Everything else is just a distraction.
Watch the rollercoaster, don’t ride the rollercoaster.