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Thursday, Jan 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Center Square…

Senators plan to return to Springfield on Sunday to pick the chamber’s next leader. Whoever is picked will only be allowed to serve in that capacity for a decade.

After the Senate adjourned on the final day of the fall legislative session, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, announced his retirement. Senators will pick his successor over the weekend.

* The Question: Which candidate do you support, Don Harmon or Kim Lightford? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…

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…Adding… This is, by the way, our 3,000th Question of the Day.

…Adding… Argh! I forgot about this Maxwell post. They both defend the current district map…

The next Senate President will have a major hand in drawing Illinois' political maps that will govern the state's elections for a decade to come.

Here's how Senators Kim Lightford and Don Harmon responded when I asked them if Illinois' political maps are fair today: pic.twitter.com/aiQtjo8bff

— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) January 15, 2020

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Thursday, Jan 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Thursday, Jan 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Speaker Madigan wants YOU!…

Do you know someone who has an interest in government and policy? The @HouseDemsIL are looking for a few good people to work on our Staff in Springfield during the upcoming legislative session. If interested, please visit https://t.co/pQjHD8BOx7 today. #RepWelch #HeretoHelp pic.twitter.com/WJZ90yMbb8

— Emanuel Chris Welch (@RepChrisWelch) January 15, 2020

I was going to have great fun with that flier until I noticed something.

* Zoom in…

That’s Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) on the left. Feigenholtz was pushed out of House Democratic leadership last year. She was first elected in 1994, making her one of the most senior members in the House, but she’s abandoning all that seniority for a freshman role in the Senate.

And yet they put her in their recruitment poster.

…Adding… Rep. Chris Welch…

Hey Rich! I just saw your blog post. As you know, I’m constantly fighting for equality and diversity in the workforce, and I think we have to lead by example. A couple of weeks ago I asked House Dem Staff to create that flyer for me. I specifically wanted to use it to promote within various diverse groups of college graduates. In my time in the House, I think our staff has been diverse with people from all backgrounds culturally, ethnically, socio-economic status, etc. Our staff, just like the Democratic Party, looks like our Illinois. However, I’m always looking for ways to do even better because you should never rest. Thanks for sharing it on your widely read platform.