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* This is confirmed…
Update from inside the @HouseDemsIL Caucus room after a first round vote:
Rep Chris Welch - 50
Rep Jay Hoffman - 15
8 members voted present.— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) January 13, 2021
…Adding… Presents, I’m told, were Didech, Deluca, Cassidy, Willis, Yingling, Williams and Scherer. Madigan actually passed, I’m told now.
…Adding… Well, this is an interesting pic. Rep. Chris Welch meets with a large number of House Democratic women at the BOS Center…
…Adding… Rep. Ann Williams…
Today I withdrew my candidacy for the Speaker of the Illinois House when it became clear I would be unable to garner the requisite 60 votes. I couldn’t be more grateful for all those who encouraged and supported me along the way. I am proud of what we accomplished and the steps we took to begin a new chapter in the Illinois House. We made history. The House Democratic Caucus continues to debate the best path forward and I am confident that we will reach a decision together and get to work for the people of Illinois. I will continue to push for strong and independent women to lead - not just in the Illinois House, but at all levels of government.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I’m being told that it’s all but done. There’s just no path to win for Rep. Hoffman and it’s now a matter of getting to the final deal. Rep. Welch has told a person close to him that he believes there will be another vote tonight and he’ll get to at least 60.
*** UPDATE 2 *** And here it is…
#chriswelch says he has the votes to win speakership when #ilhouse Dems recaucus. If so, the #mikemadigan era is over
— Greg Hinz (@GregHinz) January 13, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:19 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Mary Flowers for Speaker. Just saying.
Comment by RealRecognizeReal Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:21 pm
There is no possibility of Madigan comeback at this point
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:23 pm
looks like rep welch is headed to a new and great responsibility:)
Comment by Publius Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:24 pm
“Somehow” we went from multiple women running yesterday to 0 tonight.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:25 pm
The courage of present.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:25 pm
=Mary Flowers for Speaker. Just saying?”
Are you serious????
Comment by Because I said so.... Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:26 pm
Rep. Hoffman, read the room.
Really sad to see no women in contention at this point. That said, it is time for white guys to take a seat.
Comment by pawn Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:29 pm
- anon - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:25 pm:
Count votes, not press releases
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:30 pm
Time for Hoffman to cut the deal and put this baby to bed
Comment by SpiDem Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:32 pm
If it’s not Madigan, what about Rita Mayfield? Could she get the votes of the suburban lawmakers and others?
Comment by LC Illini Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:32 pm
So Welch +/- 0 vs Madigan? Guess the whites want to see the state burn
Comment by Math Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:35 pm
Unclear what Hoffman can gain at this point, but 6 of those remaining 8 are gettable by Welch (with Madigan and Cassidy likely never voting).
That leaves 4… if they really are going for 60.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:38 pm
Welch is Madison 2.0
Comment by Anon E Moose Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:39 pm
Can we add this tweet too? https://twitter.com/hannahmeisel/status/1349172635247271938
Comment by Newcomer Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:42 pm
- Newcomer - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:42 pm:
Try reading the blog for comprehension
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:43 pm
== Welch is Madison 2.0==.
Is that so? James Madison?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:45 pm
In a majority female caucus, where women were the ones who bravely stepped forward and challenged Madigan’s leadership, it ends up with two politically entrenched men as the top choices? We can do better.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:46 pm
=== Mary Flowers for Speaker. Just saying ===
Don’t even kid about it.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:47 pm
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:46 pm:
There are no politically entrenched women. None. Zero. Nada. Zilch. /s
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:47 pm
==Welch is Madison 2.0==. Anon E Mouse
Oh. James Madison?
As for Hoffman, I don’t get it.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:48 pm
I don’t understand the Jay appeal?
Comment by low level Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:50 pm
oh great, moving forward we have a speaker who is very unclear on his MeToo issues and we are so certain to get that suburban vote. this is not progress. this is even more of the same, and from the actual Speaker. while Madigan certainly had issues with those who worked for him, it was not from Madigan himself. Regression.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 8:51 pm
Amalia hits the nail on the head
Comment by DownStateR Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:01 pm
If Welch wins and his history isn’t as he says, there’s nothing that says he can’t be replaced. I know that is a shocking idea here in Illinois, but Speaker isn’t and shouldn’t be a lifetime appointment.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:05 pm
Jay could have been a contender, 20 years ago.
Comment by Oldtimer Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:06 pm
I could see MJM smirking in the background like in the pix that Rich posted earlier today from the BOS Center and thinking in his head:
“I told you all, HDems, that you need me after not reaching a consensus..”
Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:07 pm
They’ve got a great leader with Welch, and if any of this stuff turns out to be real, then Ann is a great person to step in.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:10 pm
Jay can be a possible kingmaker which is always preferable over being the king
Comment by Etown Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:10 pm
The related Jay appeal is that he is not from Chicago and can pull financial support from the unions and trial lawyers, huge money sources. He can surround himself with a female leadership team, who can then get more seasoned experience.
Comment by Calculus Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:11 pm
A part of me can’t help but wonder what Lou Lang is thinking right now.
Comment by fs Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:11 pm
===Regression.===
??? really? Electing a black man as speaker would be regressing? What if we elect another white male? But he happened to be gay? Is that regression also?
sorry lots of questions there.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:16 pm
Amalia -
Can’t argue with you. You are right on it. Thanks for that perspective.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:21 pm
===Regression.===
Oh, Please Amalia.
Comment by McGuppin Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:22 pm
= part of me can’t help but wonder what Lou Lang is thinking right now=
Then as now Lou is thinking what about the casinos
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:24 pm
=== what Lou Lang is thinking right now.===
I don’t know Lou outside of a handful of discussions, but I imagine he’s thinking that he’s fine with the money and not being stuck in a hotel room in Springfield in January in the middle of a pandemic.
Comment by AD Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:26 pm
- McGuppin - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:22 pm:
She’s got a pattern and it’s always against a particular group of people and it ain’t sexual harassers.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:27 pm
===Scott Cisek on Facebook===
Get off my website.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:29 pm
“A part of me can’t help but wonder what Lou Lang is thinking right now.”
Totally agree. I wish Art Turner Jr was still around…… He could have been a great leader.
Comment by Redbird Pundit Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:30 pm
I count about 14 women in that photo. Looks like 50 was Welch’s ceiling.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:34 pm
I was pretty high on Welch until these revelations came out. It’s troubling.
Comment by Anon1 Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:38 pm
- John Lee Pettimore, III - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:39 pm:
Not according to Z
https://twitter.com/mjzalewski/status/1349198970158014474
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:42 pm
Redbird Pundit…Yep, if we only had Art Turner, Jr or senior still with us!
Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:45 pm
Can Hoffman reach 20?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:47 pm
Hoffman is merely out … of his mind. Is he going to get a single vote from the women, the black caucus, the Latin caucus?
No.
Their only hope is to try and pull a reverse-19 as payback, I guess?
But nobody wants to be the odd one out of a winning coalition…. unless they love all their bills going to rules for the rest of their career.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:49 pm
Chris Welch won’t make it. His “Me Too” transgressions are numerous. Don’t count Boffman out as a compromise.
Comment by Astonished Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:51 pm
Folks it’s time to bring out the heavy weight champion that will surely win 73 votes. Ladies and Gentlemen our next Speaker should be the one and only Marty Moylan.
Comment by Frumpy White Guy Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:52 pm
Hoffman, rather.
Comment by Astonished Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:52 pm
Pick a name please. Anonymous won’t cut it
The drama is just beginning
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:52 pm
The next speaker will be none other than the majority leader himself: Rep. Greg Harris.
Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:55 pm
You really think Jay was an integral part of a remap that caused him to lose his seat in the next election?
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:55 pm
==If Welch wins and his history isn’t as he says, there’s nothing that says he can’t be replaced.==
That would be an auspicious start.
Comment by Anonanonsir Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:56 pm
==The next speaker will be none other than the majority leader himself: Rep. Greg Harris.===
Probably the only white male who has a shot.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 9:59 pm
OK…but that isn’t true…hoffman lost in 2010..before the remap…won in 2012 in another district…
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:02 pm
You are right… he was completely out of office during the entire remap. So, how has he been through one before?
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:04 pm
I can’t quite figure out what Hoffman was doing leading up to his 2010 defeat in his swing district that caused him so much trouble?
Was it, dare I say, Blagojevich?
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:06 pm
Seems the #metoo caucus is withering on the vine.
Comment by Southsider Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:06 pm
Hoffman lost his seat because he ran for Congress instead. Yes, he was involved in the map.
Comment by Lt Guv Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:07 pm
yes, it’s harassers, Precinct Captain. I want a woman as speaker, but if Welch did not have his issues, I would not have made an issue of him. and there are multiple issues with him which are disturbing in case you have not been reading. I’m also not having it with people who harass on line.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:09 pm
because hoffman’s been there longer than six years…if i’m a rep i want someone who knows where all the bathrooms are to be my speaker
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:09 pm
No, Hoffman lost to Dwight Kay in 2010 after he ran the floor show for Blagojevich … up until the end and then beyond.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:12 pm
=hoffman lost in 2010..before the remap…won in 2012 in another district…=
=Hoffman lost his seat because he ran for Congress instead. Yes, he was involved in the map.=
Both are true, just in different decades
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:17 pm
i’d still rather have any floor leader over a guy who ‘made changes in a school’ over a hug
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:17 pm
Jay lost in 2010 during a year in which Madison County switched from Democrat to Republican by 17,000 votes. You can’t say it was Jay’s fault that year.
Comment by Uh, ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:17 pm
@Uh, ok: It was absolutely Jay’s fault that he carried Blago’s water in the General Assembly long after everyone knew Blago was bad news and going nowhere good.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:19 pm
Tidal wave elections happen. 2010 was one of those and Jay kept it close that year in a Gop leaning district. But who wants additional context anymore? Just think what you want and forget about the national mood of 2010.
Comment by Uh, ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:23 pm
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:09 pm:
Then why are you online?
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:27 pm
Rodney Davis held on in a wave year. Stop making excuses for Hoffman losing.
Comment by Broom Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:28 pm
But isn’t Rodney’s district a…… Republican leaning district? I think it is. HD 112 was always a Gop leaning district with a Democrat hunkered down.
Comment by Uh, ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:33 pm
How can the IL Dem Women be okay with a Leader who has physically assaulted a girlfriend and sexually harassed an employee? Even if you just say “allegedly….” doesn’t there need to be a bit of …. homework/investigation done here? How does this leave him any more qualified than literally any other female who has been there multiple terms regardless of how she voted on the three litmus test bills?
Comment by Rosie Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:33 pm
@ Precinct Captain, because most people with whom I interact on a regular basis can keep up and are not mean.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:35 pm
If the choice is Welch or Hoffman, Welch wins. Personally, I wish Kelly Burke would forget the mayor thing and put her name up for Speaker.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:37 pm
Anyone who is wondering about Hoffman (or any candidates not in yet), let’s not forget how Don Harmon was the heavy favorite by the commenters on here and no one was surprised when he got it. Not saying that Welch won’t get it, but let this thing play out, there’s a lot of things that have to go right to get this gig and only takes one wrong to blow it up.
Comment by AD Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:39 pm
What’s Rep. Cassidy doing? Protecting herself for higher office? Even if so, I figured she would still have a bigger role here.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:41 pm
IMO, Madigan is out for sure. Having said that, Madigan soldiers abound through out this process. First Willis jumps in and then backs out. Welch enters the race. Hoffman gets in. But another, Harris, has remained on the sidelines. Just one of several scenarios that could play out.
Comment by nadia Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:42 pm
“Don Harmon was the heavy favorite by the commenters on here”
No he wasn’t. Lightford was. That was the surprise. Or as a reporter the day of the president’s election was overheard saying after the first ballot, “I’m shocked that Harmon is up 22-17. I thought Lightford had it in the bag.”
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 10:54 pm
Granted he was the floor leader for Blago but he lead a lot of good democratic legislation through the GA in the early to mid years. Particularly for labor and trial lawyers. He also knows how to fundraise on a statewide level and understands campaigning from a state perspective. As for Blago there was no stopping that train wreck and 2010 was the beginning of Madco transformation from blue to red. Don’t count Jay out he’s a savvy survivor.
Comment by Roy Bean Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:03 pm
===What’s Rep. Cassidy doing? Protecting herself for higher office? Even if so, I figured she would still have a bigger role here.===
3 D Checkers that is why you need to start playing chess. /s
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:05 pm
Not for nothing but I’m just realizing how many members retired in the last 5-6 years that might’ve been solid options for Speaker as well…unless I’m viewing them more kindly now in hindsight.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:05 pm
=== No he wasn’t. Lightford was. ===
Yes, I know that. It was a joke to point out that we should let this play out.
Comment by AD Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:06 pm
The Harmon race was a sickening display of who could call in the most campaign contribution favors. It is this race that is about the future of the Democratic Party.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:06 pm
There asking for trouble if they don’t vett this guy. This is one days research.
Comment by Bobio Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:14 pm
Comment by SandyC Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:18 pm
===The Harmon race was a sickening display of who could call in the most campaign contribution favors. It is this race that is about the future of the Democratic Party.====
Sorry for the negative reply but this is one of the most naive comments I have ever seen on here. What do you think politics is? Have you ever heard of give and take? It has only been going on in this country for over 200 years.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:20 pm
So does Speaker Madigan just become a regular house member or does he resign?
Comment by Lost in space Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:21 pm
Jay is a solid Democrat, the son of a coal miner.
He has taken a lot of courageous votes for his downstate district, on racial profiling and marriage equality and taxes to name a few without batting an eye.
The base of the party has shifted north and it is just very difficult for a downstater - anyone outside cook county - to tKe the top seat. But if the party is going to be successful long term it must aspire to represent working families throughout every corner, which is why Democrats from Rockford to the Metro-East and Champaign to the Quad Cities are important to have on your team.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:23 pm
Actually not naive at all, Been There, cause I been there a few times, too.
You really think Harmon calling in every last favor to a handful of relatively small-pocket companies and virtually mortgaging himself on top of that says anything about the dynamics of a party OR even his ability to support multi-million dollar campaigns?
It was gross and clearly a much smaller potatoes fight.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:26 pm
Congrats to Chris Welch. Wish him well, professionally and personally, as he is about to take on this responsibility. I know him as a good and honorable man, and I know our state needs him to be successful.
Comment by One Opinion Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:36 pm
Everyone needs to take a breath, yes the vote is at high noon tomorrow but it’s not mandatory that it is decided by then. The state isn’t going to fall apart if the Speaker’s race isn’t decided by 12:15 tomorrow. Why are we rushing?? No matter who is the next speaker one thing we can agree on is that after almost 40 years this is historic. I hope that the men and women of the House Democratic Caucus take this rare opportunity and vote for the most qualified person who can successfully lead the Caucus both legislatively and politically.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:47 pm
Habemus Orator
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:53 pm
Anyone research the ISBE Financial Oversight Panel that was appointed to D209 back in the day?
Comment by The Eastern Block Strikes Again Tuesday, Jan 12, 21 @ 11:58 pm
===Habemus Orator====
I had to look it up but that is pretty clever
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:09 am
For how active this shadow campaign against Welch was, this news either exemplifies of New Speaker abilities or shows how poor on the operatives behind it are. Maybe both.
Comment by Soo. Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 12:16 am
Sorry, he doesn’t have 60.
Comment by on the floor Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:21 am
These debates in the house are taking forever. I know its a different chamber but they should bring back Rickey Hendon or reincarnate Pat Welsh and bang through these bills
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:38 am
@Rich, thanks for always keeping us informed, particularly at one of the most newsworthy moments
Comment by Anon1 Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 1:42 am
@BeenThere:
Now that you mentioned Ricky Hendon, I’ve got #RonaMoney bouncing around in my head.
Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 2:41 am
What Amalia said…Rep Welch must not become
Speaker…Madigan 2.0
His record of abuse toward women is totally relevant…
His Proviso Township organization IMO hasn’t exactly looked
out for their constituents over their own interests…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jan 13, 21 @ 8:47 am