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* Tina Sfondeles takes a look at the upcoming interactions between Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot and the Statehouse…
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said fixing the funding of the Municipal and Laborers pension funds, as well as the city’s other financial problems, will remain a major issue. And he wants to talk to Lightfoot about whether there would be local taxation when it comes to legalizing marijuana or expanding gambling in Chicago.
As for the type of demeanor needed to work with Springfield’s leaders, Cullerton credited Emanuel’s ability to work behind-the-scenes with the four legislative leaders as well as rank-and-file lawmakers to push for legislation, including the school funding formula bill.
“He rarely came down here, but he had very good people, folks that represented him down here. The speaker and I would have frequent meetings at City Hall to kind of review legislation,” Cullerton said.
“When I meet with Lori I’ll urge her to do the same thing. The mayor is an important political figure in the state Legislature. … She has influence beyond the city borders,” Cullerton said. […]
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and Cullerton maintained close relationships with Emanuel, and were among the strongest advocates for key issues, such as funding for CPS and gun legislation. They also worked hard to defend Chicago from a city versus Downstate storyline.
“The speaker’s record of working with the mayors of Chicago who came over his tenure, at any shape or size, has been a good one and that will continue,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said. […]
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, is a family friend of the newly elected mayor. Lightfoot worked for Durkin’s brother in the U.S. attorney’s office and at the law firm, Mayer Brown. The Republican leader heaped high praise on Lightfoot, saying she “understands how to win by addition not subtraction.”
Go read the whole thing. Lots of stuff in there.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:31 am
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“at any shape or size”
Like, first round, then short and skinny?
Comment by Ok Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:34 am
–Durkin said there are universal issues the state and city are facing, including dire financial straits, the outmigration of residents and a lack of trust in elected officials. And he urged legislators to “do everything we can to give this mayor help in succeeding.”–
I bet that goes over well with the secessionist Eastern Blocheads.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:40 am
Lori has a number of challenges ahead of her but her election is a great opportunity for a new approach.
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:44 am
It is interesting that two of the four Democratic “tops”(Pritzker, Lightfoot) are outside of the political organization. Wonder how that will play out.
Comment by a drop in Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:54 am
Springfield and Chicago working together to help solve serious common problems. What a concept! So much better than demanding term limits and refusing to pass a budget.
Comment by Terry Salad Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:56 am
Durkin’s theorem: “Addition minus Subtraction equals 0 Division”
Comment by Write on Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:56 am
I think Lightfoot will have a good relationship with Springfield, but the casino bill keep coming up in her agenda. They’ve been trying to pass that bill for years, and it has never happened. I think it is not prudent to rely on a Chicago casino actually happening. Every time it is brought up, I think it is just a campaign position that will not be a part of the actual governing.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 9:59 am
–It is interesting that two of the four Democratic “tops”(Pritzker, Lightfoot) are outside of the political organization.–
If a “political organization” loses virtually every precinct, loses all 50 wards, and gets beat by 50 percentage points, does it actually exist?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:00 am
==dire financial straits, the outmigration of residents and a lack of trust in elected officials==
Somebody better tell Jim “Eeyore” Dunkin to lighten up.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:00 am
@ Wordslinger: Spot on. The Republican caucus is small and not interested in Chicago. If they want to grow larger, they’ll have to get over their bias about the city. It’s not clear that Leader Durkin speaks for a majority of his members.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:05 am
===Durkin said there are universal issues the state and city are facing, including dire financial straits, the outmigration of residents and a lack of trust in elected officials. And he urged legislators to “do everything we can to give this mayor help in succeeding.”===
It would behoove Durkin to explain to his caucus that working with the Dems by horse trading and recognizing Chicago’s importance to the state’s economy will lead to more seats in the General Assembly.
Saying this to reporters is not the same as convincing the members of his caucus.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:09 am
== If a “political organization” loses virtually every precinct, loses all 50 wards, and gets beat by 50 percentage points, does it actually exist? ==
The answer is a resounding no. It hasn’t existed in any meaniful form for years. Let’s hope everyone stops pretending like it does. Anyone who ever again refers to the “machine” in anything other than a historic sense doesn’t know what they are talking about.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:20 am
==Anyone who ever again refers to the “machine” in anything other than a historic sense doesn’t know what they are talking about==
Eric Allie, if you’re listening, we sure could use a cartoon showing Madigan as the Wizard, telling Dorothy to “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” right about now. Because that history is still alive and kicking.
Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:47 am
SBB, the fact that Madigan can get himself elected in his district and his alderman in his ward is evidence that the machine is “alive and kicking.”
Again, the head of the Cook County Democratic Party — The Machine — just got clobbered by 50 percentage points, losing every ward. That machine is “alive and kicking?” In what way, to what end?
By the way, Lightfoot got 85% of the vote in Madigan’s ward.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:09 am
13th ward wasn’t behind anyone let the voters decide very smart move by MJM
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:26 am
–13th ward wasn’t behind anyone let the voters decide very smart move by MJM–
Not much of a “machine” when everyone can go their own way.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:44 am
===Not much of a “machine” when everyone can go their own way. ===
Smart captains don’t argue against a tsunami at the doors.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:54 am
What a concept! So much better than demanding term limits and refusing to pass a budget.
“Legislative term limits have long been a popular response to perceived corruption or inaction in politics. Almost eight in ten (78.7 percent) favor, and more than half (54.0 percent) strongly favor a proposal to limit state representatives to five consecutive terms and state senators to three consecutive terms.”
https://paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu/focus-interests/term-limits-illinois.php
See Chicago election results Tuesday and see how ignoring the will of 80% of the voters goes over.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 12:02 pm
===Not much of a “machine” when everyone can go their own way. ===
Smart captains don’t argue against a tsunami at the doors.–
Understood. My point is the idea that there is a monolithic, controlled, effective Cook County Democratic machine has not been the case for decades.
Richard J’s Democratic machine controlled thousands of jobs and anointed officeholders at all levels.
Today’s Cook County Democratic Party doesn’t have anything resembling that power.
The only thing they all agree on is that they aren’t Republicans, because they couldn’t get elected if they were. That’s more a function of urban demographics, seen in large metros around the country, than it is of political organization.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 12:16 pm
Off topic but need help: does the Chicago Board of Elections change their vote totals as mail-in ballots are received, or do they update them all at once at the end?
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 1:30 pm
They get updated at the end. That’s why I was surprised Toni P conceded before the mail-ins are counted.
Comment by @Just Me 2 Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 1:40 pm
===That’s why I was surprised Toni P conceded before the mail-ins are counted===
Dude, put down the drink.
She lost by almost 48 points. You don’t make that up in late mail-in ballots. This was clearly over by 7:30 Tuesday night.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 1:56 pm
Many people are focus on the repeal of the unpopular sweetened beverage tax as an issue that led to Preckwinkle’s undoing. I would also put it down to timing. Preckwinkle passed on a mayoral run against Emanuel in 2015. At the time, there were voters who wanted her to make the race, but she declined. Timing is everything.
Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 2:16 pm
@Rich, I believe @JustMe2 was being snarky. I actually giggled when I read his comment.
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 3:10 pm