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* Press release…
On Sunday, January 10th, 2021, State Representative Karina Villa introduced an amendment to Illinois’ Election Code concerning the optional loyalty oath candidates sign when submitting petitions to get on the ballot. The amendment states that the oath - in which signees swear they will not be part of any communist organization or group plotting to overthrow constitutional government - shall now add white supremacist groups and hate groups.
“White supremacists have no business occupying positions of power in our government, at any level,” Villa said. “The loyalty oath should cover members of these dangerous groups as well.”
In the wake of this past week’s events on Capitol Hill and a spike in hate crimes and white supremacist violence across the country, states must find ways to protect their residents from the dangers posed by white supremacist organizations and hate groups.
“State elected officials from multiple states across the country participated in the insurrection at the Capitol this week. That’s unconscionable. We have no choice but to ensure that white supremacists and insurrectionists cannot continue to run for office without making their hateful beliefs known to voters first.”
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 3:36 am
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A little too late State Rep Villa. You did not call this behavior out in your Senate race. In fact you proudly shared Trump and Villa yard signs on your Facebook. You do know now you would have to comply, right?
Comment by Confused Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 4:04 am
Seems like a perfectly good use of time. /s
Comment by TwoCent Ante Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 4:32 am
Absolutely necessary.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 6:18 am
I’ll be interested in the conversation with Sen. Glowiak Hilton once Villa arrives in the Senate.
http://www.senatorsuzyglowiak.com/news/66-glowiak-hilton-moves-to-repeal-unconstitutional-purity-pledge-from-election-paperwork
Comment by Inverted Pyramid Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 6:21 am
I have never signed the loyalty oath. I think it’s silly. It’s another manifestation of fiddling while Rome burns.
Comment by Stix Hix Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 6:49 am
=== I have never signed the loyalty oath. I think it’s silly. It’s another manifestation of fiddling while Rome burns. ===
Unless you’re a member of a group that advocates the burning of Rome…just sayin
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 6:57 am
Curious how that line of the oath is phrased.
I seem to remember
“I am not a member of any group that seeks to deny anyone their constitutional rights via non-constitutional means” from a federal job application.
It seems if you don’t identify ‘hate group’ right, you could create other issues.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 7:52 am
This is what I’d suggest.
You can make two changes. One here…
===SECTION 3. OATH OR AFFIRMATION OF OFFICE
Each prospective holder of a State office or other State
position created by this Constitution, before taking office,
shall take and subscribe to the following oath or
affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the
Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of
the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge
the duties of the office of …. to the best of my ability.”
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)===
Add…
“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the
Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of
the State of Illinois, *including against all enemies, foreign or domestic* and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of …. to the best of my ability.”
Add that too to the oath of office in the General Assembly.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 7:58 am
maybe we should add loyalty to Mike Madigan? /S
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:01 am
will bailey chief co it?
Comment by The Failing New York Times Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:04 am
* Unless you’re a member of a group that advocates the burning of Rome…just sayin *
I’ve yet to see one of those, just sayin’
Comment by Mirror mirror Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:21 am
Was at plenty of rallies and protests, and saw some communists, but I never saw a communist try to violently overthrow the United States government. If communism has to be declared, then without a doubt fascism and white supremacy should be declared.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:23 am
=== I’ve yet to see one of those===
Huh. What do you call January 6th?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:24 am
I wonder what Mark Batinick has to say about this.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:29 am
Progressive Democrats should be slow to give a stamp of approval to expanded loyalty oaths. It pretty clear that the Trumpsters are already using prior Democratic actions (or alleged hyposcrisy) as a an excuse for their actions. An example of this is the challenges to the certification of the electoral votes on January 6th.
Comment by Casual Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:36 am
Sounds like she’s taking a swipe at her most recent opponent.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:38 am
I bunch of fools who ended up taking selfies and going home before dark. A handful of radicals in a demonstration of 100k does not a mob make.
Villa’s proposal is ridiculous, we have the right of association in this country, even if you find that association distasteful.
Comment by Mirror mirror Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:41 am
=== bunch of fools who ended up taking selfies and going home before dark. A handful of radicals in a demonstration of 100k does not a mob make.===
The safety of the chain of leadership of the United States was threatened, the current VP, the VP-Elect, the Speaker of the House.
Unlike your drivel and excuse to downplay an insurrection, a failed coup of our democracy, the Capitol Police and Secret Service saw the leadership of our country was at peril. Otherwise they, and all members of Congress and staff wouldn’t had been whisked away.
If you’re downplaying the insurrection, you must be supporting it.
It’s not a rally gone awry. Full stop.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:45 am
- Mirror mirror -
It should be read, my comment, as concurrence to your thoughts to enablers of what developed January 6th, not in a way of misunderstanding your point.
However, those who don’t understand this was an insurrection…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:47 am
- Mirror mirror - Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:41 am:
Confused as to what a white supremacist insurrection is?
See: War, Civil (1861)
See: Takeover, Capitol (2021)
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:48 am
Loyalty oaths are McArthyism. None should be needed. Are we going to require them for all state workers? Sounds like we should have a blacklist book too? How about a state HUAC?
Years ago I had to swear I never supported the Lincoln Brigade. I was a kid I didn’t even know what that was and I looked it up. I should have supported the Lincoln Brigade
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:48 am
===“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the
Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of
the State of Illinois, *including against all enemies, foreign or domestic*
willie I took an oath like that several times. I do think there is a large problem with the proposal from Rep. Villa. Your language is already in use in several places.
However, you might consider reading Matt Bracken’s book by the same name Enemies foreign & domestic.
Those “enemies” are different in different people’s perspectives
Comment by Todd Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:49 am
=== Your language is already in use in several places.===
Uniformly using it in the Illinois constitution, in the loyalty oath written, and in an oath spoken, it wouldn’t bother me it’s use uniformly.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 8:51 am
This is a complete waste of time, let’s put our focus on saving Illinois.
Comment by 14th ward Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:01 am
On first read this is good and should not be controversial. On second thought, it’s quite impossible and a total lie for some to sign it.
Comment by LameGoose Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:03 am
=== This is a complete waste of time===
How so? Amplify your thoughts, after January 6th it’s important to know where one stands when insurrection, treason, and a group wanting a coup is seen.
It won’t hurt Illinois to look at the insurrection in the eyes of an ongoing problem of groups looming to undermine or worse Illinois state government.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:07 am
I do not believe in “loyalty” oaths. Swearing to defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois is one thing. But the “are you now or have you ever been a member of [fill in the blank]” sort of thing is anathema.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:13 am
This seems stupid and pointless until you read posts like those offered by Mirror mirror.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:16 am
I have never signed the loyalty oath and I never will. It’s literally McCarthyesque.
And when one considers the many off-duty police and former service members who participated in the violent 1/6 coup attempt — men and women who pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic — such oaths are clearly ineffective as well.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:17 am
This is not the oath to get on the ballot, but here is the oath for school board members once elected. I further swear (or affirm) that:
I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a
faithful protector of the school district’s assets;
I shall encourage and respect the free expression of
opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees;
I shall recognize that a board member has no legal
authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote at a public board meeting;
I shall abide by majority decisions of the board,
while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels;
As part of the Board of Education (or Board of School
Directors, as the case may be), I shall accept the responsibility for my role in the equitable and quality education of every student in the school district;
I shall foster with the board extensive participation
of the community, formulate goals, define outcomes, and set the course for (name of school district);
I shall assist in establishing a structure and an
environment designed to ensure all students have the opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a sound organizational framework;
I shall strive to ensure a continuous assessment of
student achievement and all conditions affecting the education of our children, in compliance with State law;
I shall serve as education’s key advocate on behalf
of students and our community’s school (or schools) to advance the vision for (name of school district); and
I shall strive to work together with the district
superintendent to lead the school district toward fulfilling the vision the board has created, fostering excellence for every student in the areas of academic skills, knowledge, citizenship, and personal development. 105 ILCS 5/10-16.5
Comment by eyeball Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:17 am
As a man who lives in Bill Ayers’ neighborhood, it’s kind of funny hearing about loyalty oaths. Go demonstrate for George Floyd , Twitter isn’t going to ban you neither will the state of Illinois.
Comment by From Bill Ayers' Neighborhood Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:20 am
Can we just get rid of this ridiculous loyalty oath? Illinois is better than this McCarthian relic.
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:21 am
The Thin Blue Line flag was widespread inside the Capitol. It, along with the Confederate Flag, should not be flying in Illinois, let alone in an elected official’s front yard.
Comment by Thomas Paine Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:22 am
=== Go demonstrate for George Floyd , Twitter isn’t going to ban you neither will the state of Illinois.===
The banning in social media, and frankly the ending of other social platforms I personally refuse to name, pertains to the using of such platforms to undermine the the constitution, incite insurrection, and in Illinois’ the concern should be for those same insurrection minded people and our own Capitol.
There is no comparison to George Floyd and the insurrection.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:24 am
I have signed and not signed the oath for various local elections. I always found it distasteful.
Comment by thechampaignlife Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:28 am
-pertains to the using of such platforms to undermine the the constitution-
It’s reassuring that Twitter indeed has community standards. Some people meet them , some don’t. Trump clearly doesn’t. If only Trump could raise his ethical level to Bill Ayers, Louis Farrakhan, Marty Weiss, and Iran’s Supreme Leader: he would still be on Twitter.
Comment by Weather Overground Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:32 am
==A handful of radicals==
Like 19 hijackers on 9/11?
Comment by Jocko Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:34 am
- Weather Overground -
If you support the insurrection of our government, just say so.
Don’t hide behind…
“Bill Ayers, Louis Farrakhan, Marty Weiss, and Iran’s Supreme Leader”
We here in Illinois must be leery of those not looking to have a voice heard, but those willing to undermine state government feeling empowered so much to say so openly
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:36 am
I’m not in favor of some loyalty oath that she is presenting. This is starting to get on the toes of the First Amendment.
Comment by Cardinal Fan Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:36 am
=== As a man who lives in Bill Ayers’ neighborhood, it’s kind of funny hearing about loyalty oaths.===
Is that neighborhood somewhere we should know where it is? Why are you boasting about living there? What does a neighborhood have to do with the above amendment?
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:42 am
Ugh, pls don’t bring your QAnon junk here. Rich runs an Illinois politics blog.
I know you guys have been kicked off Twitter and Prosper is down.
So go terrorize LinkedIn.
Comment by Scott Cross for President Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:48 am
*Parler (am I spelling that right ?)
Comment by Scott Cross for President Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:49 am
As to the question, a problem with the loyalty oath is enforcement. For example, the current oath is optional, but if Cong. Mary Miller signed it when she filed her petitions, then how is her violation of it on January 6 enforced ?
Comment by Scott Cross for President Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 9:54 am
What year is it in Professor Ayres’ neighborhood?
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:01 am
A person disloyal to an institution will feel no compulsion to disclose their own disloyalty to an institution they desire to subvert.
A person who, in their own estimation, is able to shoot other persons on a public street without the consequence of losing the loyalty of a public to him, can abandon in action the pretense of loyalty to an institution.
Those most personally opposed to institutional law and order may find campaigns based on “law and order” to be most advantageous to their own private interests.
Comment by Glenn Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:05 am
I’m 100% in agreement with Oswego Willy.
Comment by City Guy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:05 am
-Scott Cross for President-
Bill Ayers does meet some people’s standards of peace and justice , and community values.
Comment by Man in Blue from 45th Ward Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:13 am
I’m a Democrat who lives in an area that once was very red, but now is more purplish. My opponents for a local office signed the loyalty oath so did I just to avoid the argument that I wasn’t loyal to the United States. Such an argument could change the vote totals in my area. I wouldn’t be against the amendment just to see who wouldn’t sign versus those who previously signed it.
Comment by Fishingvest Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:19 am
- Man in Blue from 45th Ward -
… and yet this comparison falls flat when the current president of the United States for weeks and weeks promoted insurrection on a specific date, time, and in concert to stopping the fair and free election process.
That’s what you want to equate… or you feel the insurrection is “fine” and ironically need cover, using Bill Ayers and ===some people=== as well.
“against all enemies, foreign and domestic”
If that is a way we can get a stronger sense to where Illinois needs to be, that’s my take.
The enablers, the apologists, the worrisome who supported this president now pointing to “some people” to remove their own stain, support and defend the constitution, the Illinois constitution too… against all enemies… foreign… or domestic.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:21 am
The loyalty oath was found to be unconstitutional by a Federal Judge back in the early 1970’s. It’s been optional ever since. The oath goes back to the Senator McCarthy days of the 1950’s. Just saying.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:24 am
The oath as it exists currently is Cold War, anti-left dribble. Scrap the whole thing if you’re really against the kind of politics we’ve lived under the last four years.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:24 am
“Bill Ayers does meet some people’s standards of peace and justice , and community values.”
Then by all means don’t vote for him.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:26 am
I don’t like loyalty oaths beyond those for the military and elected officials.
Now if we could get politicians to give speeches under oath with penalties of perjury, that I could support.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:45 am
Why does this argument remind me of the Seinfeld bit about “who won’t wear the ribbon”?
Comment by Drake Mallard Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 10:47 am
= Such an argument could change the vote totals in my area.=
Same here. But I didn’t like it and the oath should be gone. As an avowed capitalist, I have no issue with communists being communists and joining communist groups. The oath is unAmerican.
Comment by phenom_Anon Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:01 am
The often quoted “if you’ve done nothing wrong what have you to hide” when someone invokes their right to counsel has a new analogy:
“If you’re not an insurrectionist why won’t you sign the oath”.
Comment by don the legend Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:05 am
This is a great idea. I propose that most who read this blog believe in the concept of “white privilege”, which infers “white superiority”. It follows then that no one with light colored skin should hold public office. I propose that no one with skin color on the Von Luschan scale of 16 or less should be allowed to run for or hold public office. Let’s just make this simple to implement with a firm numeric cutoff.
Comment by Unstable Genius Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:09 am
O.W. I would like Illinois politics to focus on more important issues. If everyone believes this is helpful to this state , then i’m wrong.
Comment by 14th ward Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:43 am
=== I would like Illinois politics to focus on more important issues.===
Insurrection nationally and here in Illinois the worry of local groups planning to undermine the state isn’t important?
Ok.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:45 am
Who are the arbitrators of what groups or ideas are considered dangerous? Sure it seems like common sense to say the KKK meets these definitions, but how far will it go?
To me, the idea may have good intentions, but like most things can easily be abused to destroy someone’s reputation that cannot be undone. This may be history rhyming with the past under the extremes of McCarthyism on one side and Fascism on the other.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:45 am
This is an excellent idea
Comment by Emerging lurker Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:48 am
Why not? The pledge is voluntary, anyway.
And to those of you who say the legislature should focus elsewhere, where have you been? The legislature can focus on many things at once. Always has, always will.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 11:54 am
Can you support the Illinois constitution while posturing to secede from the State? Isn’t taking money from the State to fund services and institutions in your region a clear enough demonstration of support? Secession talk isn’t anything more than appealing to voters…as long as you keep taking the money from Chicago and the suburbs are you ok? /s
Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 12:05 pm
Agree with others here noting that the existing optional loyalty oath against communism is ridiculous and McCarthy-esque, and this new proposed one is not much different.
Of course no elected official should belong to a hate group or sympathize with such causes, but the place to determine that is not when applying to get on the ballot.
The place for determining such things is political campaigns; if one is or isn’t hateful, that should come through in the campaign.
Comment by Techie Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 12:16 pm
All it will do is serve as a campaign attack against candidates who refuse to sign even if they refuse based on opposition to silly loyalty oaths.
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 12:36 pm
Repeat after me:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
That should cover it, don’t you think?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 2:42 pm
Most of these oaths are not worth the paper they are written on. Trump took an oath. I am guessing the guy holding the confederate battle flag in the capitol rotunda recites the pledge of allegiance daily. Yet he flew the flag of a rebellion that attacked the United States and thinks he is a patriot.
Actions typically tell us who people are, sometimes words, but mostly actions.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jan 11, 21 @ 2:58 pm
How about a loyalty oath to not be stupid.
Comment by Tom Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 2:33 pm