* From Gov. Pritzker’s press conference today…

Q: Given everything that’s happened in the last couple of days, with the drama back and forth with the hemp legislation. You were pretty frank about your dissatisfaction with those situations, particularly with the Speaker’s office. Do you look at this inauguration today as a fresh start in your working with Democrats in the legislature, given all the big issues you have [to address] in the next five and a half months?

Pritzker: Every day is a new day to do the right thing. And today I had the pleasure of presiding over the Senate inauguration. … I’m somebody who’s open, willing to work with people of all political stripes and different views. I obviously feel very strongly that we need to protect and be good to our staffs. And so that was something I talked about yesterday. I think that these folks are professionals who choose to work in government and they could choose lots of other professions and careers. And so I think we owe them the respect that is due to people who are making some sacrifices and working very long hours, often to try to effectively good public policy.

Q: [Considering what happened with the House Democrats, will that effect your relationship with them going forward?]

Pritzker: Well, I’ve suggested that certain members should offer apologies to the staff, and I understand that a little of that has happened. And so no, I think that people, look, people can make mistakes, and certainly mistakes were made and behavior was improper during that caucus. But people can make amends.

Pritzker said he hasn’t talked with the House Speaker in the past 24 hours.

…Adding… Senate President Don Harmon weighed in on this during his inaugural address…

When two people, equally passionate about a topic, find themselves adamantly opposed to one another, tempers can flare.

Don’t let them.

Don’t let your words in a heated moment diminish the valuable work you’ve come here to do.

Because at the end of the day, we are all here because we love this state, the people who call it home, and want the best for all of them.

We can’t do this job on our own.

We need all of our neighbors.

So, don’t forget a “please” and “thank you” for the people who keep this building running: our excellent staff.

They, like everyone else, deserve kindness and respect.

They deserve to be treated like the professionals they are.