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More Illinois Democrats say they won’t be attending Trump inauguration

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Illinois

A growing number of Democratic lawmakers from Illinois — as well as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner — are skipping President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Friday.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will not attend the swearing-in. Democratic Reps. Mike Quigley of Chicago and Dan Lipinski of Western Springs also will not attend, their spokespeople said Tuesday. Another Chicago Democrat, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, said earlier this month that he would miss the inauguration but planned to attend the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday. […]

Quigley, who is new to the growing list of officials who are sitting out the swearing-in, “fully supports the peaceful transfer of power, but has chosen to spend the…week with those who have elected him,” his spokeswoman Tara Vales said in a statement. […]

Lipinski, another no-show, said in a statement he preferred to work in his district and spend time with his wife rather than watch the ceremony in D.C. and attend parties there. […]

Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston is hearing from people urging that she sit out the swearing-in, her spokesman, Jeronimo Anaya-Ortiz, said Tuesday. “We’ve had a big response on social media asking the congresswoman not to attend, and to stand with John Lewis on boycotting the inauguration,” he said.

Sounds like Schakowsky won’t go, either. We’ll see.

* Hinz…

Other Democrats, including both Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and Reps. Cheri Bustos, Bobby Rush and Brad Schneider say they will be there, but some made it clear their attendance is more about respect for the presidency than for the man who will succeed Chicago’s Barack Obama. […]

Foster’s spokeswoman said he had not yet decided whether to attend. Kelly’s spokeswoman said that she currently expects to be there, “but that might change.” […]

“I will be attending the inauguration this Friday out of respect for the office of the presidency and our constitutional process,” said Raja Krishnamoorthi, a freshman from the northwest suburbs. […]

“I will attend the presidential inauguration ceremony out of respect for the office and to bear witness to our nation’s peaceful transition of power,” [Rep. Brad Schneider] said. “I hope my presence on Friday underscores my commitment to be vigilant and to hold the incoming administration accountable to our laws and Constitution on behalf of the people of the Tenth District.”

WaPo is keeping a running list. Click here.

* Related…

* Greg Hinz: Trump and Blagojevich share much more than big hair

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:35 pm

Comments

I don’t care how cool you think your name is it’s hard to top Jeronimo Anaya-Ortiz for awesomeness.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:39 pm
If I was a Dem MOC, I wouldn’t attend either… because I hate large crowds and cold weather.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:43 pm
–A growing number of Democratic lawmakers from Illinois — as well as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner — are skipping President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Friday.–

Woof, I bet the Superstars like that lede. Better hope the president-elect doesn’t see it.

I mean, if the Dems not showing up are dissing the man and the office, what’s Rauner doing?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:45 pm
Trump is beyond getting back at Rauner for the slight. Nothing is too slight for Senor ThinSkin. Won’t bother Rauner though. Or so I think.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:46 pm
Sorry, ISNT beyond

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:46 pm
===Better hope the president-elect doesn’t see it===

Gonna take a whole lot more than that to separate those two.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:47 pm
Will Robert Creamer be there coordinating the violent protestors?

Comment by Doug Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:49 pm
President Obama will be there, asis other prominent Democrats, both in and out of office.

Congressional Dems should attend.

Comment by Deft Wing Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:50 pm
–Gonna take a whole lot more than that to separate those two.–

Are they joined? Must be on the down-low. Trump does seem to take perceived snubs rather personally.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:50 pm
It’s the first time in my memory that there’s an official tally and attendance taking. I can remember that a number of officials have skipped this in the past, especially if it was cold or inclement. Granted, there’s more of a pedestal for the partisans to stand on this time, but some people who really want to be there will have better seating now.

Quigley surprises me a little. The rest…it figures.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:54 pm
I don’t care who attends. I just hope Donald Trump decides not to go.

Comment by Bruce (no not him) Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:15 pm
This sort of action will show that Trump fellow a thing or two. Bet he doesn’t sleep well.

Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:17 pm
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/46068

Republicans did the same thing to Obama

Comment by BBG Watch Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:17 pm
In the grand scheme of things who cares
Would be respectful if they show but not required. Besides if you are over 75 like most In the Democrat Leadership you should stay out of the cold.

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:36 pm
==Sounds like Schakowsky won’t go, either.==

Maybe Robert Creamer will attend in her absence.

He was in the front row for President Obama’s farewell address, so it’s not like he doesn’t like the spotlight. And he already has a great working relationship with Trump.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:57 pm
I wish they would have announced this in advance and given the ticket away to someone like me who would cherish seeing an inaguration in person.

Comment by DRB Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 5:57 pm
Revenge is a dish best served cold, or out of the cold (weather) in this case. Trump will hold a grudge forever, so I don’t see how this helps the Democrats in D.C. going forward. Not very helpful for the interests of their constituents, either.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 5:59 pm
It’s rude to not attend, but Trump is rude so I guess it’s justified. He’s not my president, either.

Comment by Collinsville Kevin Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 6:04 pm
If my constituents would vote me out, then to survive politically, I’d probably boycott if I was a politician.

Other than that, I probably wouldn’t boycott. I’d first try to form a relationship with Trump and see what I can get from him, for my constituents, and see how we can work together.

Of course this is hypothetical. I have no idea what I’d do. Right now, however, the way I’m thinkin’, I’d try to form a relationship with the new president.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 6:19 pm
Jeronimo?

So cool that Jan Schakowsky would have a staffer named after a murderous enemy of both the US and Mexican governments.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 6:31 pm
–So cool that Jan Schakowsky would have a staffer named after a murderous enemy of both the US and Mexican governments.–

You really should put a handle to that to claim perhaps the dumbest comment ever anywhere.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 6:45 pm
this accomplishes what?

Comment by Saluki Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 7:59 pm
The peaceful transition of power should be respected.

It was wrong when Pat Quinn skipped the Rauner inaugural and this is wrong. Bush attended Obama. George Ryan attended Blagojevich.

Comment by 4 percent Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 8:14 pm
Disrespecting, but their prerogatives not to attend. Mistake not to attend too. In comparison, I hate the Cubs, but as an avid Cardinal fan I tip my cap to their success-whining doesn’t help.

Comment by justacitizen Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:07 pm
Who cares that the Dems aren’t going. The good news is we’re finally moving on from one of the worst presidents in modern times. But does that surprise anyone knowing Obama’s only experience was a couple of years in Illinois politics.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:56 pm
Lame duck govenor is banking on my new president’s failure. Why are you still listening to Kasich, your insight is profound. Who is representing Illinois inauguration ball to bring job creators?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 6:07 am
If my governor doesn’t support my president, then why should my representative support his ideas?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 6:18 am
You go to witness for your constituents and promote the Illinois state society inaugural heartland ball to showcase Illinois

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 6:26 am
Failure to attend the GOP convention and not even trying to keep our GOP senator is now some kinda secret hidden support?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 7:44 am
Refusal to attend to, budget meetings, union negotiations. GOP convention, governor meetings, inauguration…

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 8:04 am
–Who is representing Illinois inauguration ball to bring job creators?–

Here’s an extreme example of the “governors/mayors create jobs” fantasy.

Apparently, in this warped view of capitalism, politicians facilitate economic growth by attending “balls” with “job creators.” It must be magical.

I guess that glass slipper and pumpkin-coach industry will just be going somewhere else.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 8:06 am
Illinois state society “dedicated to promoting the history, culture, science, technology, commerce, sports, and social traditions of Illinois”. You would think Illinois number one salesman would be there. Unless it’s a fallacy that he has dozens of job creators lined up?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:02 am
Frankly, I don’t care and very seriously doubt if Trump does. I’d much rather that money be spent benefiting social service providers and everyone else impacted by this budget impasse than wasted on a meaningless trip to D.C.

Comment by logic not emotion Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:35 am
Why attend the coronation of Jabba the trump?

Comment by Union Thug Gramma Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 11:02 pm