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* Friday and today…
State Rep. Barbara Wheeler will not seek re-election to Illinois House in 2018 https://t.co/2wKMgsvw78
— Northwest Herald (@nwherald) July 28, 2017
Rep Pritchard telling friends he will serve out term but won't seek re-election in 2018
— Bernie Schoenburg (@bschoenburg) July 31, 2017
* From Rep. Pritchard’s press release, which he intended to send out tomorrow, but was instead leaked…
As the 2018 election cycle approaches, State Representative Bob Pritchard announces he will not seek re-election. “I have appreciated the opportunity to represent the residents of the 70th district over the past 14 years but feel the time has come for another to voice the interests of this district,” he said.
“Like our founding fathers, I do not believe serving in the legislature should be a career but rather long enough to learn the process, make contributions and then return to other activities,” Pritchard stated. He will serve out his term which ends in January of 2019 and continue to be activity engaged in the issues and events of the district. He looks forward to spending more time in the family farming operations, with his grandchildren and in various organizations.
Pritchard said some of the challenges facing our state are a result of representatives serving too long, being unwilling to compromise on difficult issues, and losing the perspective of the impact government has upon private citizens and businesses. “I think we have a better system of government when more citizens take time from their careers to run for public office, and experience the challenges of making public policy for their communities or for a state as diverse as Illinois,” the legislator added.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends, listen to the ideas and concerns of residents, and participate in the life of each community in the district,” Pritchard added. “I have tried to keep people informed of the complex issues facing the legislature and our state, and encourage their participation in the process of creating public policies. My efforts would not have been possible without the able assistance of district director Jesse Sheehan, assistant Shelley Ziola, staff in Springfield, and numerous supporters. I deeply appreciate their efforts.”
Pritchard has served on numerous House committees and sponsored legislation on many important issues during his time in the legislature involving agriculture, education, veterans affairs, human services, healthcare, the environment and government operations. He is currently Republican spokesperson on several committees including education and state government administration, plus Co-Chair of the General Assembly Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.
Pritchard voted for the budget and tax hike but missed the override vote.
…Adding… This doesn’t include a few legislators who are running for other offices, like Sen. Daniel Biss, Rep. Scott Drury (both running for governor, at least for now), Rep. Laura Fine (running for Biss’ Senate seat) and Rep. Cynthia Soto (MWRD)…
By our count, 5 state reps and 2 state senators have resigned/announced they won’t run for re-election since the start of the 100th GA pic.twitter.com/ubPWfzZqFa
— IL Working Together (@IllinoisWorking) July 31, 2017
More to come.
…Adding More… Sen. McCarter is also not running again due to a self-imposed term limit.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 1:49 pm
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Thank you, Bob. /nosnark
Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 1:52 pm
I heard there’s a small set of Republican Senators set to hang it up, too. But it’s the rumor mill, who knows.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 1:52 pm
Funny how these 2 parrot term limits, but don’t mention campaign finance reform.
To fix government we first need campaign finance reform. Term limits only goes to serve those that fund elections and run puppet candidates.
Comment by Real Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 1:54 pm
Funny how these 2 parrot term limits, but don’t mention campaign finance reform.
To fix government we first need campaign finance reform. Term limits only goes to serve those that fund elections and run candidates.
Comment by Real Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 1:55 pm
Where’s Madigan’s announcement?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 1:55 pm
===Pritchard voted for the budget and tax hike but missed the override vote.===
Rep. Prichard,
Thank YOU for having the best interests of this state when Illinois needed you most.
I appreciate your service.
All the best to you. Thank you for voting to save Illinois from Rauner
Oswego Willy
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 1:57 pm
“Pritchard said some of the challenges facing our state are a result of representatives serving too long, being unwilling to compromise on difficult issues, and losing the perspective of the impact government has upon private citizens and businesses.”
Very well stated. The failure of representative government in Illinois is the failure to represent the people.
Comment by Robert J Hironimus-Wendt Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:01 pm
Pritchard would have been a casualty of the IPI folks if he chose to run again.
Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:01 pm
Why bother retaining the legislature at all. Just keep Madigan and maybe Cullerton and we save loads of money and you get the same outcome
Comment by Sue Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:23 pm
Help with context. How many lawmakers choosing to hang it up every cycle is “normal”. Are we seeing an average or above average churn?
Comment by Steve Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:23 pm
===and you get the same outcome===
Not even you are that dim-witted.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:26 pm
Lame-duck status can be very liberating when it comes to voting on budgets and other controversial legislation.
Comment by SAP Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:32 pm
I have said this 50 times to friends. It’s not about the primary in March. It’s first about who even files to run in December. I bet this list doubles–maybe even more then doubles.
Comment by Eire17 Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:32 pm
So tell me Rich since you are so smart- what has come out of the legislature since 1996 which Madigan didn’t author
Comment by Sue Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:32 pm
Too bad they are from the wrong side of the aisle.
Comment by Really Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:39 pm
I believe Pam Althoff is also leaving.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:39 pm
Steve - by my count last cycle 8 Reps and 5 Sens didn’t run for reelection.
Comment by muon Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Titanic - she is retiring in 2020 after her four (4) year term is up.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:41 pm
Re Rich @ 2:26: lol…thanks for the laugh. I needed that today.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:42 pm
To clarify, I didn’t count members who resigned early to take other positions, or Rep Golar who died in office.
Comment by muon Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:42 pm
Not close to the experts most commenters are. That said, are any of these seats vulnerable to a democratic victory if the republican nominee is a knownothing Raunerite?
Comment by don the legend Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:45 pm
Rich, I respectfully beg to differ with you. You are overestimating Sue
Comment by Redraider Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:47 pm
More of the 16/11… of “those” House Republicans… that leave…
…the bigger the loss for Illinois.
That’s why the Prichard loss will indeed be a loss.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:49 pm
SAP has a good point. A few more lame ducks that could vote in favor of a potential SB1 AV override motion without any concerns about fund raising in the next election cycle.
Comment by PragmaticR Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 2:52 pm
Rich, you best be careful or you’ll end up with a “Speaker Madigan Challenge.”
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 3:04 pm
PragmaticR and SAP - I hope you are right. It is easier to vote your beliefs knowing the money hammer cant hurt you. The Dems and Repubs have some good people willing to compromise for Illinois. Rauner’s first, or test staff, were not able to accomplish anything but make money for themselves. Of which, they are good on the personal “take from the State” level. It hurts me to even be considered a Rauner proponent. But the locusts are gone and maybe he can right the ship. It’s either the new crew or Dems take over. Either is better than how we started with this administration.
Comment by Black Balled Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 3:10 pm
“When the ship goes down I will still be standing here at the helm.”
Comment by Captain Edward Smith Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 3:45 pm
==which Madigan didn’t author==
Are you kidding me? You think every piece of legislation to come out of the General Assembly since 1996 was authored by Mike Madigan? I guess you are that dim-witted.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Sue: You really are smarter than that. Your comments are valuable here. (Perhaps you meant to say “authorized.”) Points for hyperbole, though.
Many would be surprised, I think, by how often bills that Madigan initially opposes do pass thru the process, because they are strongly desired by members of his caucus. He can be argued into changing his positions, with the right evidence and rationale. He also knows when and how gracefully to lose, to encourage solidarity and mutual respect.
Comment by walker Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 5:02 pm
By retiring, Rep. Pritchard spares himself a potentially nasty primary. He also can vote his conscience and his district for the remainder of his term.
Comment by anon2 Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 5:51 pm
Andersson and Fortner should follow suit. They will save themselves an embarrassing Primary loss.
Comment by BoSox Monday, Jul 31, 17 @ 7:56 pm
Pritchard. A Republican. Not a conservative. Same mold as Madigan and Rauner. Keep spending. Keep taxing the working poor and middle class. Same old, same old.
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Aug 1, 17 @ 8:19 am