Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

An error of ommission

Posted in:

Illinois

* From a Tribune editorial entitled “Chicagoans, find the error* in this editorial about the vacancies of Senate President John Cullerton and Rep. Luis Arroyo”…

Chicago voters take note: With one of your Illinois House seats open and one of your state Senate seats about to go vacant, you may think you should choose the two new legislators who’ll represent you in Springfield. To which we offer a full-throated Sit down, losers. Also Get lost, Fuggedaboudit and several coarser expressions.

Because you, little voter, have … no say in this. None whatsoever. Instead, Democratic Party swells are busy arranging who’ll replace Luis Arroyo, a disgraced and departed representative, and John Cullerton, a senator who’s about to retire.

The editorial board goes on to advocate for special elections to fill these and other vacancies. I have zero problem with that idea, although I can see some arguments against it, including costs and low turnout during special elections.

But, one thing not mentioned in the editorial is that Chicago ward committeepersons and Cook County Township committeepersons are elected. Elsewhere, precinct committeepersons are elected and they, in turn, elect their county party chairs.

So, voters do have some say in this.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:15 am

Comments

It’s not like a Republican is going to win either seat.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:17 am
I suppose we should be thankful they didn’t call it the Democrat Party.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:21 am
Confused about the CapFax today. It suggests that the Senate President race is decided by a majority of the Dem caucus (or 21 votes of the 40 SenDem members). In fact it takes 30 votes - a majority of the chamber. Once someone has 30, then likely the full caucus joins to make it unanimous…but the contest is for 30.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:23 am
The Tribune’s hyperbolic, gin up the outrage tone is tiring.
Let the committee-persons appoint interium Rep and Senator for now. Let the candidate with the most votes in the March primary serve until the Nov. election.

Comment by Froganon Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:29 am
Either the seat should stay vacant or their should be a special election. The ward committee person decision is just inside baseball.

Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:29 am
The contest for 30 is on the Senate floor.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:32 am
=== The ward committee person decision is just inside baseball.===

Ward Committeemen are elected. It’s why, back when dinosaurs ruled the world, ward committeeman was arguably more important than alderman.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:41 am
Facts rarely bother the Trib.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:46 am
“Because you, little voter, have … no say in this.”

Condescend much?

The voters had a say, and they strongly rejected the ILGOP and right wingers like the Trib editorial board. But nice of them to note their concern for the hapless little voter, who’s such a victim—like them.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:52 am
I guess with all that is going on in DC, the Tribbies have to focus their ire on things like this to indicate….Democrats bad. Dear Tribune, Please consult with George Ryan, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:52 am
=== Because you, little voter, have … no say in this. None whatsoever.===

Maybe the Trib will do endorsement sessions with Ward Committeemen next time?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:54 am
As Rich rightly points out, the people doing the appointments are elected and are accountable to voters at the ballot box.

Could there be reforms? Sure, but low-turnout special elections are not necessarily the answer. Look at Virginia, where some members won their low turnout specials in January or
various off times by literally a dozen votes or less, but even in Virginia’s odd-year elections regularly win by 10 points or more. Is that really fair or representative? Will we mail a ballot to every voter like states that hold all VBM elections?

One answer could be Nevada, which has county commissions (or a committee of commission chairs/members for cross boundaries) make legislative vacancy appointments. Even for their senators on four year terms, the appointment then only lasts through the next election cycle. That could be something to look at, but another consideration arises. Nevada has party registration and the appointee must come from that party when the vacancy occurred. If we switched to county boards making appointments, how do we guarantee that the candidates are actually Democrats or Republicans? Maybe people voted for the person, not the party, but that’s doubtful these days. It’s more like the person because of the party.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:16 am
While I am generally in favor of special elections, I am wary on doing so when the term of office to be filled for less than two years and when there are no other offices on the ballot.

Mike Quigley entered Congress after a special Congressional primary and election were held that did not draw too many voters. It probably cost more to administer the election than normal.

I am not fond of the Arroyo and Reboyras moves, but the meeting of committeepersons appeared to be legal.

Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 4:54 pm