Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

* UPDATED x1 * McConchie will be next Senate Republican Leader, Rezin to be Deputy Leader

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

* This was not unanimous and subscribers know why. From a press release…

Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) issued the following statement after he was chosen as Leader-Elect of the Illinois State Senate Republican Caucus by its members this afternoon:

“I want to thank my colleagues for choosing me for this important role.

“There are exciting days ahead. Illinois voters sent a powerful message this week by overwhelmingly rejecting the constitutional tax hike amendment and sending the message that they do not trust state government with broader taxing powers.

“We Senate Republicans hear you loud and clear and are ready to act.

“During my tenure in the legislature, I have made meaningful reform my top priority. Our caucus will embrace a fundamentally new direction for Illinois. We need balanced budgets, smaller and smarter government, lower taxes, economic reforms, and a world-class education system that prepares our next generation to stay and succeed here, not flee to another state.

“We will work every day to rebuild voters’ trust, weed out corruption, grow our caucus, reform our spending and revive what makes Illinois such a great state.

“I look forward to partnering with my House Republican colleagues to give voice to the message voters sent us on Tuesday signaling their distrust of state government and to fight for the reforms they so clearly want.

“We have no time to waste. Let’s get to work.”

In his first act as Leader-Elect, Senator McConchie chose Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) as his Deputy Leader.

“There is no denying that we are at a crossroads as a party and a state,” said Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “I believe Dan is the person best equipped to guide us down a new and different path. He will put in the thoughtful action needed to recruit fresh, more diverse candidates and engage groups who have not previously seen a place for themselves in the GOP. It is a new day here in Illinois, and I am looking forward to working with Dan as his Deputy Leader to help rebuild our organization and our state.”

“I am proud to have supported Dan as the new leader of our caucus because he has the intelligence, work ethic and curiosity needed to build our Senate Republican Caucus,” said Illinois State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). “His passion for policy is unmatched, and we need that focus on real solutions to bring the people of Illinois the reforms they deserve. I am looking forward to working alongside him and our colleagues as we build a stronger, more effective Senate Republican Caucus.”

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

Democratic Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement congratulating Sen. Dan McConchie on being elected the next Republican leader.

“I look forward to working with Senator McConchie as the Senate continues to lead by example and with a commitment to pragmatism and bipartisanship that was the hallmark of Leader Brady’s tenure in the post. Congratulations Senator McConchie.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 1:59 pm

Comments

Very bright and listens well.

Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:10 pm
How democratic of them…announce a caucus the day before and rush to vote before anyone else can mount a campaign.

Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:12 pm
My sincere best wishes to Leader-Elect McConchie and I look forward to his leadership during these tough times and to be a leader willing to see this whole state as a responsibility for his caucus to consider, always.

To the political, my hope is Leader McConchie will assist in recruiting and be willing to look at districts and races as unique and needing unique candidates that still meet and exceed the Reagan Rule of 80%, and realize growing a caucus means growing in diversity of thought, that also speak in one voice to the political, without being disagreeable to the politics.

Looking forward to it. My best to you.

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:14 pm
Seems some members are not big fans of how this went down. Just satw that letter from Curran, Anderson and Fowler.

Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:19 pm
(McConchie is not Leader-Elect yet)

To Sen. Brady,

You came to the post after Leader Radogno, during a very tumultuous time in Illinois. You caught heat, you tried to be a partner at times, for that I thank you.

My best to you, I’m looking forward to seeing your next chapter and what choices you will make.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:20 pm
=== We have no time to waste. Let’s get to work. ===

Yes. Get to work.

I look forward to an explicit list of state funding cuts to be made in all of your districts.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:28 pm
==We need balanced budgets, smaller and smarter government, lower taxes, economic reforms, and a world-class education system===

What is your specific plan to get there? I’ll happily listen until you trot out the same old magic beans we’ve heard before.

Comment by Jibba Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:39 pm
Looks like the SGOP caucus is ready to roll.

Comment by Anne Onymous Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:59 pm
Jibba - I think it means we should staff our world-class education system with $7.25 an hour teachers.

Comment by filmmaker prof Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 2:59 pm
The days of Republicans rewarding failure and being addicted to the defeatist status quo are over in the State Senate. Pritzker and Harmon have an ultra super majority to be sure, but no longer can they rest easy with hapless Brady as GOP leader.

Curran wishes he had run. But he needs to remember the old saying: “the bones of defeat are bleached on the plains of hesitation.” McChonchie quietly put this together over months. Otherwise Brady would have big footed another term on election night. Just like Brady did two years ago after losing 25 percent of the caucus when Republicans once again rewarded failure. McChonchie had an overwhelming majority who demanded change. Just not Curran, Anderson and Fowler. Time for them to recognize reality.

A new beginning indeed.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 4:31 pm
Anon @ 4:31.

In case you’re auditioning for a flak job, it’s spelled McConchie.

https://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=101&MemberID=2672

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 4:52 pm
Making a mental note about how this vote went down for when Leader McConchie cries bloody murder when the democrats push through an overnight budget this spring.

Comment by Man Woman Person Camera TV Thursday, Nov 5, 20 @ 8:18 pm
The new GOP leader sounds as if his caucus may support spending cuts, but no tax hikes. Unless the GOP will vote against both cuts and hikes.

Comment by anon2 Friday, Nov 6, 20 @ 10:05 am