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* Subscribers already know this and a lot more…
State Senator Rickey Hendon has resigned his office. He denies any federal “problems.”
The spokeswoman for Illinois Senate President John Cullerton confirms that the senate secretary has received Hendon’s letter of resignation.
Hendon has served as senator for the 5th District since 1992.
Hendon’s hypertension has been a serious problem lately. I’ve talked to him a few times about that federal investigation and he appeared wholly unconcerned. I seriously doubt that was the reason he left. Subscribe for more info.
The Senate just won’t be the same without Rickey Hendon.
*** UPDATE *** Gov. Quinn was asked about Hendon earlier today. His response…
“He’s been a friend of mine for a very long time… I’ve always liked Rickey Hendon… I know he’s had a few health problems of late. I know he’s a good man.”
His resignation letter is here.
Hendon, 57, told the Tribune he was upset about the “pathetic” black turnout in Tuesday’s election and negative stories written about him over the years.
“I’m out,” Hendon said by telephone. “Out is out.” […]
In Springfield today, Rep. Annazette Collins, a Democrat who represents half of Hendon’s Senate district, said she called Hendon once she heard of his plans.
“He just said he’s frustrated with politics, you know, at this time,” Collins said.
“Today is a wonderful day and as much as I have enjoyed working with you and all of my fellow senators, I have decided to call it a day and retire from this wonderful institution,” Hendon wrote in a letter to Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).
Nicknamed “Hollywood” for his TV and film-production aspirations, Hendon, 57, was a member of Cullerton’s leadership team, had hypertension and frequently was a lightening rod for controversy.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:25 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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An Illinois State Senate without Rickey Hendon is a razzle without its dazzle.
Comment by Served Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:32 pm
He was fun to listen and watch. First President Jones, now Hollywood. Some Senator needs to step up and bring the joy to the floor that Senator Hendon did.
Comment by bored on1 Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:33 pm
Illinois is better today without Hendon. His antics were nothing to be admired.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:34 pm
“And now a word from Bill Brady…”
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:36 pm
Maybe he’s taking a job in the Emmanuel administration? LOL!
Comment by tubbfan Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:36 pm
LiO, Hendon could be a bit much at times, but he was an interesting person who said what he thought. People always complain about bland politicians who stick to talking points, and then when we get one, they complain that he makes them uncomfortable. People like Hendon are supposed to make you uncomfortable. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be Hendon.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:38 pm
Maybe he is quitting to focus on his softball career?
Comment by Spliff Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:38 pm
Losing Black and Hendon in the same year is just too much. We need to revive the idea of Madigan declaring from the podium that certain legislation needs more cowbell to try to counter balance this loss.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:42 pm
Maybe he was able to get a reoccurring role on “The Chicago Code” They couldn’t find a more authentic Chicago character and I’m sure he would love it.
Comment by Objective Dem Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:42 pm
Politics as entertainment in Illinois has suffered a huge blow. If ESPN ever starts a government channel, they need to hire him as a commentator. I love watching shows where no one ever knows what’s going to come out of the guy at the end of the desk.
Comment by Jeeves Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:42 pm
Rich, I too have to admit I enjoyed his over the top speeches and you had to appreciate the suits. However I lost respect for him when the after school program scandal hit the papers.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:46 pm
Can we get a commnent from Cheryl Axley to this?
Comment by 47th Ward GOP Guy Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:50 pm
Too bad, he was a sight to watch in hearings. I wish it had been Sandoval that was leaving instead.
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:52 pm
I agree with LIO…as a woman, I will never forget his comments to Sen. Cheryl Axley about “taking her to a dark township road”. I realize that hazing a legislator is the usual practice after passage of their first piece of legislation, but this went beyond the pale to public sexual harassment.
Ricky, as far as I can see, did alot for himself and little for his constituents in a very needy district including the after school money snafu.
If you want a clown, go to the circus Rich…
Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:54 pm
I think this is a real opportunity for Senator Mike Jacobs.
Comment by Big West Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 1:56 pm
I will miss the electric blue suit with matching blue alligator shoes.
Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:00 pm
Might be a good time to grow some young black leadership. Hope we don’t get retreads.
Comment by hammer Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:06 pm
I agree that this, with the loss of Black and a few other legislators, makes this GA a pale boring entity without any soul. I will say that Hendon is actually a very smart person regardless of his antics. More than once, he made some smart points that no one else would make and he did it with a flair. He also did a lot for his district and was really out there and present, although his feud with Turner was pointless. Whatever is making him resign I have no idea about.
Comment by State Worker Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:06 pm
Who will be appointed, to replace him? I think that the new senator will be former State Rep. Art Turner. Last year, he ran for lt. gov., and he was second, in the primary. He got high name recognition that will help him, when he runs, in 2012.
Comment by Conservative Veteran Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:06 pm
=== I think that the new senator will be former State Rep. Art Turner. ===
That would kill Rickey. Literally.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:08 pm
His conduct and demeaning, sexist language on the Senate floor were a disgrace to the Illinois Senate and to Illinois. He is a character, there is no doubt; but frankly, we have had enough charactors in Illinois government.
Comment by A Springfield Veteran Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:09 pm
Perhaps he snuck a look at the redistricting maps combined with health and other issues.
Comment by Statesman Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:19 pm
One can only hope that this move will free him to write Backstabers II. Go Ricky!
Comment by Far North Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:20 pm
The House of Lords will be a quieter, less interesting place.
Comment by Bill F. Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:24 pm
When he was presiding, he once got through 300 bills on the daily calendar in under 3 minutes. (That might be only a slight exaggeration.)
Comment by PFK Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:42 pm
a turner appointment would certainly give Ricky a final chapter…..
Comment by amen to that Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:45 pm
If he lived long enough to write it. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 2:54 pm
===When he was presiding, he once got through 300 bills on the daily calendar in under 3 minutes.===
HaveallvotedwhowishHaveallvotedwhowishHaveallvotedwhowish?
Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:18 pm
Illinois just keep getting more stable and dull.
If Dillard had won this would really be a return to the Edgar days.
Comment by piling on Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:21 pm
A few years ago I participated in the DuPage Mayors and Managers Legislative drive down to Springfield. 4 Mayors and I got on the elevator in the Stratton Building. A guy in the back of the elevator loudly used the F word about 15 times during the ride up. When we got off the elevator, one suburban Mayor asked “Who was that jerk?” I replied, that would be State Senator Ricky Hendon.
Comment by One of the 35 Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:24 pm
One of the 35, at first I thought that story might be about me.
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:27 pm
Perhaps his long awaited sequel to “Butterscotch and Chocolate” is on the way?
Comment by Ben Gazzara Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:34 pm
I forget whether it was 93 or 94 when he did his stand up bit at On Broadway……..
Comment by I'm Just Saying Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:40 pm
I always recall the unwarranted hatchet job that Senator Hendon tried to do on Rep. Chuck Hartke’s appointment to the Secy of Ag position.
As a Republican, I was no friend of Chuck’s, but he didn’t deserve the treatment he received from Hollywood.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:44 pm
Downstate, I like Chuck a lot, but he said what he said and wouldn’t back down and he deserved a little trouble for it. He got his job in the end, which is as it should’ve been.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 3:49 pm
I’m not into politicians but I like Ricky and always will. His ties cannot be forgotten either. Send me one to remember you by please!
Comment by OBAMALAC Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:03 pm
There is no joy at Chicago State University (Mulled West Campus) tonight, Might Rickey has stepped down.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:08 pm
This looks like it could be a real interesting race to replace him. His district goes into 13 different wards and the committeeman with the highest percentage of the weighted vote only has 22%, Dixon in the 24th ward. Fioretti and Jesse White each have 16%, Ed Smith 12%. Even Fritchey has 8% and John Corrigan 7%. Solis 6%, Michelle Smith 5%, Mitts and Juarez 3%, Ricky Munoz and Maldonado with less than 1% each and John Daley with almost nothing.
Finding a concensus candidate in this race might take awhile.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:10 pm
well, the west side is shrinking, so things will be carved up. I would have enjoyed his tenure if it were a movie, but the reality was sometimes very hard to take.
Comment by amalia Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:19 pm
Long time posters: How many times do you reckon Rickey’s first name has been misspelled on this blog?
Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:30 pm
Wait, what? Cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria.
I remember being down at the board of elections a few years back and he was in there going through the petitions of people he didn’t like to see who he could knock off the ballot. And I don’t mean his opponents, I’m talking about just people he didn’t like, this was his hobby. I never expected a guy who played the game as blood sport would just walk away.
First DeLeo and now Hendon. Why even bother turning the senate audio on anymore? That place lost a lot of character, and some real characters.
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:39 pm
Dixon has been a bit preoccupied with saving her hide. This could be a coup for her, depending where she throws her support.
Comment by hammer Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:41 pm
Captain, you are right about Hendon down at the board of Elections. If elections were held more often he could make a career being a consultant down there.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:48 pm
I hope it’s not a health issue. Enjoy your retirement, Senator!
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 4:52 pm
Let’s not forget this…Best political ad ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PPE9RkQWig
Comment by Kielbasa King Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 5:19 pm
And on that note, comments are closed. I got tired of deleting the goofballs.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 5:28 pm