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Slaughter to replace Rep. Monique Davis

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Illinois

* From earlier this week…

State Rep. Monique Davis of Chicago has resigned from office, ending a nearly 30-year career in which she developed a reputation as an outspoken lawmaker unafraid of controversy.

Davis submitted a letter of resignation in late December, but it was not received by the Illinois House clerk until Tuesday. In her letter, Davis thanked Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan for “your respect, ethical leadership, responsibility, concern, information, knowledge and most importantly care, concern and assistance for my district.”

“Your leadership as speaker of the House of Representatives of Illinois contributed to my successful legacy,” Davis wrote.

During her time in office, Davis co-sponsored legislation with then-state Sen. Barack Obama to require police to videotape interrogations of murder suspects, fought for funding for her alma mater Chicago State University and served on the panel that recommended the impeachment of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Her retirement letter is here. She was a force to be reckoned with, for sure.

* I’m told that Justin Slaughter is getting the slot today. Slaughter worked in Pat Quinn’s policy shop and was Deputy Director of Programs for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. He was also district director for Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore. And he worked for Sen. Kwame Raoul.

Slaughter, 36, is currently the legislative coordinator to the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners in the office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Slaughter filed to run against Rep. Davis in the Democratic primary, but withdrew from the race.

* From the New Leaders Council’s website…

Mr. Slaughter has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Chicago and a Masters of Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. Mr. Slaughter is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., where he is an executive board member for his local chapter’s foundation. A native Chicagoan, Justin Slaughter grew up on the Southside of Chicago in the Washington Heights community where he currently still resides.

* Related…

* Rep. John Bradley: Thank you, Southern Illinois

* Revolving Door: John Keller’s been named Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s new chief of staff, the fourth for Preckwinkle in the last 16 months. Keller previously ran Chicago Democratic state Rep. Christian Mitchell’s campaign and also worked for Democratic former Gov. Pat Quinn. He most recently served as Preckwinkle’s director of external affairs. In a statement, Preckwinkle said Keller has “a demonstrated ability to work well across the county’s vast landscape of responsibilities” noting his recent work on the 2017 budget, which she called “balanced and fiscally responsible.” Keller replaces Brian Hamer, who was appointed in March and resigned Friday.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 1:34 pm

Comments

Now there’s a headline you have to read twice!

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 1:50 pm
The Pat Quinn ex-staffer caucus adds a member-

Senate:
Daniel Biss
Bill Cunningham

House:
Lisa Hernandez
Theresa Mah
Brandon Phelps (worked for Treasurer Quinn)
Justin Slaughter

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 1:56 pm
Class on the part of Bradley pinning that letter. After the voters turned on him, I’m not sure everyone could be so kind saying goodbye.

The voters in his district are going to find out what they lost when they kicked Bradley out of office.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 1:58 pm
Representative Slaughter from Chicago. Ow.

I’d go by Justin. All day, every day.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:10 pm
I’ve read some comments from her colleagues praising her, and I’m a bit disappointed.

While I appreciate the tradition of patting a person on the back on the way out, Monique Davis had an unfortunate record of anti-Semitic comments. Her colleagues accepted those from her over the years, with very little criticism.

I really wish the Democratic members would hold their own to higher standards.

Comment by Gooner Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:14 pm
“…Davis co-sponsored legislation with then-state Sen. Barack Obama to require police to videotape interrogations of murder suspects…”

I did not know that Davis co-sponsored the police vid legislation. If I remember correctly, every police union in the state opposed that legislation. Which makes me wonder why the 2015 SB1304 Body Cam bill does not have criminal penalties for police who destroy video cam evidence? The police unions opposed penalties, and got a “departmental charge.” I hope Slaughter and others can step in and step up for police accountability.

Comment by Payback Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:19 pm
This is a pretty good choice. I’ve heard nice things about him, and his resume is solid.

Is it just me, or have the appointed members picked by committeemen improved in recent years? It used to be the top precinct captain for the committeeman with the highest weighted vote got the seat — and they’d keep their government job.

Comment by Roman Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:34 pm
@Payback

Isn’t it already a crime to “destroy evidence” of any kind?

Comment by Telly Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:40 pm
“I’d go by Justin. All day, every day.”

Maybe he can convince people that it rhymes with laughter. “Swonderful! Smarvelous! Slaughter!”

Comment by ChicagoR Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:46 pm
Hopefully the Speaker will follow suit, run for reelection and then retire before being sworn in

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:19 pm
===- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:19 pm

Hopefully the Speaker will follow suit, run for reelection and then retire before being sworn in===

Please, never ask why your takes aren’t taken seriously…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:23 pm
Oh yes you are the serious one I forgot. Obviously your sarcasm detector is off.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:36 pm
- Lucky Pierre -

You may… want to label your snark.

Your Raunerite talking point “snark” is too much like you.

Honest.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 4:12 pm