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Is this the end of the line for Cullerton?

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Illinois

Sneed hears powerful Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-6th) has told some of his closest Senate colleagues he is so frustrated with the budget logjam, he is thinking about not running for re-election when his term is up in two years, according to two sources.

“Cullerton is stressed and frustrated by all the nonsense going on in Springfield and the ability to get things done,” said a source who spoke to Cullerton.

“He indicated he is not going to pull the plug now, but he did say he was considering not running for re-election,” said a state senator who asked to remain anonymous. […]

“The budget logjam is frustrating — personally, professionally and politically. That’s no secret,” [Cullerton] said. “As for my future? I’ll decide that at the appropriate time. But that time isn’t now. Right now the only priority is getting a budget for the state of Illinois.” […]

“If I want to run for re-election as a state senator, I’ll need to make that decision by the end of the year. Right now, we’ve got problems to solve. I’ll deal with the other stuff later,” Cullerton said.

Your thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 8:54 am

Comments

Oh dear, please stay!

Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 8:57 am
I think Radogno leaves this summer

Comment by Wow Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:00 am
He’d be an excellent governor.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:02 am
He’s been in the legislature since 1979. Maybe he just thinks it’s time to go and the current stalemate is as good an excuse as any?

Comment by Big Bill Thompson Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:03 am
Methinks he’ll stick around. Natch.

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:04 am
Wonderful. One of the last remaining adults in the room might be leaving.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:06 am
Man, I hope not. I worry about this being Radogno’s last hurrah, too. We can’t afford to lose the only adults in the room.

Comment by Ted Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:07 am
Not much of a pushback by Cullerton, more of putting off the timing… ?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:07 am
He’s a good man, he has done great things in his long legislative career. He deserves a lot of credit. Stepping away now is the right thing to do to save any sense of sanity for his golden years. Others that have been around as long (or longer) should follow suit.

Comment by in absentia Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:07 am
There are a number of good people on both sides of the aisle that are beginning to lose their heart for the job because of everything that’s going on over the last two years. Some people actually do go into these jobs with public service in mind, and a lot of that dedication is being sorely tested by the political games and the personal attacks. I know a few legislators that are really weighing whether they want to walk away when their terms are done.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:11 am
if he’s serious, sounds like a good reason to get something done.
But he wouldn’t be big loss. of course, possibility is that he’d be replaced by someone even worse.
Madigan would still be calling the shots.

Comment by jim Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:14 am
Where there is smoke there is fire….

Anyone with the slightest bit of wisdom knows that this ship (State of Illinois) has already hit the iceberg….and its taken on a lot of water….and you know how that story ends.

Comment by JDuc Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:14 am
maybe he’s worked up a killer Trump imitation and he knows there lots of work in that right now.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:22 am
I have a great deal of respect for the man. While others are making power grabs, he’s respectably trying to solve the problems at hand. He is truly a public servant and a great leader. It will be a very sad day when he steps down.

Comment by Miss Marie Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:24 am
He should know he’s not alone. Anyone connected to the state at all is having those moments where you think “this isn’t worth it.” Unfortunately.

Comment by Fisher Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:30 am
What’s he so stressed out about? There’s “no crisis” with Illinois pensions, he said earlier, and all hysteria about Illinois problems is just political spin from the Tribune and right wingers, as he’s been saying for years.

Comment by Driveby Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:41 am
Now he knows how every teacher in Illinois feels. This is alarming. Teacher shortage and now there will be a good politician shortage. Looks to me bad guys are winning.

Comment by Sparky791 Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:46 am
Hmm, maybe he runs for the House and then makes a play for the seat he really always wanted and was being groomed for over two decades. Or maybe not. /s

Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:50 am
Tom Cullerton being named Senate Majority Speaker was the last straw in the power struggle

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:52 am
@JDuc 9:14 ===Anyone with the slightest bit of wisdom knows that this ship (State of Illinois) has already hit the iceberg….and its taken on a lot of water….and you know how that story ends.===

And this captain (governor) deliberately steered into the iceberg, to try to get rid of the unionized crew. The lower decks with the needy and helpless locked in are already underwater. The second deck has higher education treading the rising water. The upper deck, reserved for the upper 1%, is partying on. There are just enough lifeboats for those on the upper deck.

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 9:58 am
I can imagine the frustration. A governor whose aide sees an out of context quote about a deal on pension reform and then vetoes a major bill without checking with him in the slightest. A governor who feigns going “off script” in his state of the state address about the grand bargain, but having his agents trash the heck out of the deal while acting supportive. A legislative leader in the house in his own party who only takes action to preserve his own power. A batch of Republicans terrified of disobeying their governor. Political ads airing for 2018 right after an election.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:00 am
John Cullerton will be 70 years old next year. Maybe he just wants to retire.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:04 am
Maybe he really understands that the State needs more money, but his constituents cannot absorb more taxation, especially since they’re being pounded by Chicago, Cook County and other taxing bodies. And he can’t figure a way out of the box, except the usual smoke and mirrors that folks are starting, albeit slowly, to see through.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:06 am
Cullerton: “I’ve had enough”
Radogno: “I’ve had enough”
Illinois Leavers: “We’ve had enough”

Rainer Wins!! (Don’t spell his name right - it bothers him)

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:10 am
My reaction was the same as OW’s. Who knows what he will decide, but that answer makes it sound as if the rumors have some validity. I’m a constituent, and would be sorry to see him go, but there are several good options to replace him. Between that and Pawar’s open seat, could be a busy two years in North Side politics!

Comment by Snucka Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:30 am
Can you blame him?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:37 am
He was the nicest most respectful legislator I worked with. I will not forget his staff telling me that he would be standing in a certain place waiting. W hen he thought I had said enough he gently touched my arm. I appreciate him and what he as done.

Comment by Swede Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:37 am
John and I have had our differences over the years. But he’s trying to be the adult in the room. The question is who’s next?

Will the party continue to move more towards Chicago and move away from downstate?

I think the Body could benefit from either a Manar or Clayborne in the seat

Comment by Todd Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:39 am
What Earnest said above. Rauner says nice, neutral things about Cullerton/Radogno compromise, while his staff works forcefully behind the scenes to kill it. Madigan waits and watches. No wonder they’re both frustrated.

Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:43 am
I don’t blame him or any other thoughtful, serious person for leaving government. It’s not just happening at the state level. People are jumping ship at all levels of government. Populism has officially taken over. There’s no room for thoughtful, logical people in a populist government. I fear that we have become ungovernable.

Comment by Old Shepherd Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 10:52 am
Too bad we can’t use emojis here..just sayin

Comment by It's All About Me Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 11:02 am
Good for him, too bad for us, he’s a really good Senate President and a great policymaker. Our state will be worse off without him.

I think many do not realize how difficult the SDEM caucus can be and he’s done a great job of organizing and leading them.

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 11:18 am
Run for governor! Totally understand though.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 12:03 pm
Governor Cullerton - has a good ring to it.

Sincerely,

Independent

Comment by Peoria Citizen Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 12:14 pm
Wow, I’m wondering if this is just a stunt or something other than a simple decision to retire? Looking forward to seeing him lead by example and disclose which pension diminishment option he will be selecting “A” or “B” or the provisions from SB1.

Comment by ejpp Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 1:27 pm
There is no teacher shortage. We had a teacher leave our kids school very abruptly two weeks ago and he was replaced this week.

Comment by Tone Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 1:51 pm
===There is no teacher shortage. We had a teacher===

Anecdotes ain’t data.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 1:56 pm
Tone - so one isolated incident makes your statement true?

Comment by Galena Guy Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:00 pm
Tone: your district must be part of the 40% of districts who aren’t having trouble finding teachers.

http://abc7chicago.com/education/survey-illinois-is-facing-teacher-shortage/1154927/

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:41 pm