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McCann denies he resigned from the SGOP caucus, threatens legal action over access to “key resources”

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Illinois

* A statement earlier today from Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady’s spokesman…

This morning, Sen. Sam McCann offered his resignation from the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus and Leader Brady accepted.

* From Sen. McCann this afternoon…

Rich,

I did not offer my resignation from the Republican Caucus today. In fact, I responded to the caucus with that clarification. I offered my resignation as Minority spokesman on committee. I am still a Republican until I complete the requisite legal requirements to establish a new party, which doesn’t occur until June.

The Republicans have also unlawfully restricted access to key resources that are needed to properly represent the constituents of my District. Today, I demanded access to all caucus resources available to any Republican member of in order to properly represent the constituents of my District, which duly elected me as an IL State Senator of the Republican Party. I am following the legal protocol to properly establish a Conservative Party, but at this time no such party exists until the proper protocols are completed. In addition, I remain Constitutionally obligated to represent my constituents. Moreover, it is the Republican Parties duty to allow all of its members equal access. Any continued denial of access will require immediate action up to and including legal action against the caucus.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:42 pm

Comments

Nah Sam. Make it really easy since you have such great conviction and you care so deeply for those constituents who require all that service and retention.
Resign from the Illinois Senate and throw your whole self into this race as the Governor Candidate of the Conservative Party.
Someone can be appointed to serve those constituents in your stead. Because running for Governor and collecting 25K signatures may take a little time away from Constituent Services.
C’mon Sam. Do it for the people.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:51 pm
I wonder if Drury ever thought he had a constitutional right to know what time it is

Comment by Wondering Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:53 pm
I wonder what “restricted access to key resources” means? Did they cut off his office budget?

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:53 pm
“I demand resources from the Republican Party until such time that I try to screw them all. Also I need someone to do my travel vouchers.” - Sad Sam

Comment by Not Again Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:54 pm
Something something about cake and eating it too.

If I announced a startup that would directly compete with my current employer, I would expect to be cut off from everything post haste.

Comment by ChrisB Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:55 pm
Not sure what the caucus rules say but, just spitballing here, when you publicly announce you are running a third party campaign for governor against your caucus’ candidate, they might not want you around anymore. Again, depending on the rules, that sounds tantamount to a resignation or could be grounds for removal.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:55 pm
Sam’s constituent service and relationships are how he has survived Rauner.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:55 pm
If the ILGOP was thinking straight they would all move further from Rauner and start another Party, at least the ones that aren’t Raunerites.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 4:58 pm
“You can’t fire me, I QUIT — Effective sometime in June…”

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:01 pm
What a crybaby

Comment by truth Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:03 pm
–If I announced a startup that would directly compete with my current employer, I would expect to be cut off from everything post haste.–

What in the world are you talking about? Who’s McCann’s “employer” in your scenario?

He’s the elected senator from the 50th District. He’s not “employed” by either Brady or Rauner.

Don’t you have to take a Constitution test to get out of eighth grade, anymore?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:04 pm
The guy is running as the candidate of a different party. Why would he be allowed to reamin in different party caucus?

Comment by Ron Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:26 pm
Will he be granted his own separate caucus staff once he officially leaves the SGOP? A third party caucus staff would be interesting to see

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:26 pm
Maybe he can pull himself up by his bootstraps. Conservatively.

Comment by Dutch Boy Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:28 pm
Under Senate rules, Brady could kick McCann off committees. He could also shut him out from staff. I’m sure he’ll do those things.

But I don’t think he can mess with office money
or any of the other perks all these guys vote for themselves.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:37 pm
@word

Taking the 8th grade constitution tests assume you passed the cause and effect unit in 4th grade.

Your argument is that an elected official is entitled to party resources until the next election, even after he leaves the party? Come on man. That’s ridiculous.

Comment by ChrisB Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:54 pm
–Your argument is that an elected official is entitled to party resources until the next election,–

What “party resources” are you referring to? Those funded and provided by the Illinois Republican Party?

Or are you referring to General Assembly resources funded by taxpayers?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:56 pm
Chris B
You might want to re-read McCanns statement which say he is entitled to those resources until June.. Not November.

Comment by Real Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 5:57 pm
What “resources” is he talking about? An office?

Speaker has an used doghouse somewhere.

Comment by walker Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 6:05 pm
==entitled to party resources until the next election==

Glad to see you guys finally admit that yes, elected Republican GA members are wholly owned subsidiaries of Bruce and his paid-for party apparatus. His constituents might be surprised to learn this, though, as they probably thought Sam worked for them.

Maybe Sam can caucus with the Dems in the meantime? As bad as Madigan is, I doubt even he would go so far as to block members from taxpayer-funded resources used for constituent services.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 6:26 pm
Wish Ronald Lee Ermey was around to have a little talk with citizen McCann.

Comment by cc Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 6:26 pm
What a fighter. Once a Marine, always a.. oh yeah, that’s right.

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 6:34 pm
Apparently McCann’s candidacy struck a nerve with the Raunerite party. Hopefully when they redraw the maps, they put all the Raunerites in Democratic strongholds.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 7:15 pm
By resources I assume he is referring to bill analyses and other day-to-day staff assistance as well as a secretary, computer, e-mail, etc. etc. All of those things are paid for out of the respective caucus budgets.

If Leader Brady is going to kick him out of all of that, then he needs to be given a separate slice of the budget for him to fund it by himself.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 7:21 pm
No wonder our state snack food is popcorn.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 7:23 pm
Burn GOP, burn.
Right down to the ground.
But please, do it slowly.
I mean, make it as painful as possible.
The bill for your soul-selling groveling to the likes of Rauner and Trump has come due.
And you will pay every darn dime of it.

Comment by efudd Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 7:33 pm
–Maybe Sam can caucus with the Dems in the meantime? As bad as Madigan is,–

Senate. Cullerton.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 7:34 pm
–Apparently McCann’s candidacy struck a nerve with the Raunerite party. –

Yeah, they went pretty apey over a guy who hasn’t collected one signature to get on the ballot yet.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 8:03 pm
I think he’ll easily collect the signatures.
I know a lot of conservative labor folks
who are jumping for joy.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 8:46 pm
McCann comes across as a bit of a crybaby. What a great candidate for governor.

Comment by SSL Thursday, Apr 19, 18 @ 9:50 pm
This is proof Rauner is livid.

Rauner knows he has no chance as McCann will take away a few percentage points from him because central IL voters like McCann and Rauner needs every downstate vote he can get.

Bye bye rauner you royally messed up this state and I can’t wait to boot ya.

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 20, 18 @ 7:09 am
==McCann comes across as a bit of a crybaby. What a great candidate for governor.==
He is supposed to be a doormat?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Apr 20, 18 @ 7:32 am
Rauners skills with the truth is wearing off on Brady

Comment by Rabid Friday, Apr 20, 18 @ 8:30 am