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* Press release…
Oak Park Democrat Don Harmon was re-elected President of the Illinois Senate on Wednesday, promising to continue delivering results for the people of Illinois and calling on his colleagues to focus on “jobs and justice” in the year ahead.
“It’s about making sure our people aren’t forgotten by our economy, or caught up in the cogs of the system to be lost forever,” Harmon said during the Senate’s COVID-19 restricted inauguration ceremony at the state Capitol. “Every day in this state, too many people wake up feeling like the deck has been stacked against them.”
Harmon, 54, was first elected Senate President a year ago to serve out the term of the retiring John Cullerton. On Wednesday, Harmon’s Democratic colleagues re-elected him. In a move to show Senate bipartisanship, Harmon voted for Republican Leader Dan McConchie, and McConchie voted for Harmon.
In his inauguration speech, Harmon urged senators to set aside political differences, recognize the need for change and work together to achieve it.
“This chamber consists of 59 very different people from 59 very different districts. Those differences should be celebrated and utilized to produce better results, not used as an excuse to divide us,” Harmon said. “I vow to do my part to help bridge divides and change the tone of our politics. I hope you will all do the same.”
Wednesday was the first day of the 102nd session of the Illinois General Assembly. Gov. JB Pritzker presided over the Illinois Senate ceremony. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the ceremony was scaled back dramatically and lawmakers took the oath of office in waves rather than all 59 senators in the Senate chamber at once.
Harmon’s term as president, which is his first full term, runs for two years.
The full speech is here.
It occurred to me this morning that I’ve now been around longer than all four leaders and the governor.
Whew.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:19 am
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…so people might call that old..but not me. some people might though.
Comment by Waffle Fries Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:21 am
Not to pile on, but all the statewides, too, right? At least in their present roles?
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:29 am
I’m pretty sure there are a few west Cook County burbs that are represented by both Harmon and Welch. Would be nice to be one of those mayors right now.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:29 am
== been around longer than all four leaders and the governor ==
There’s one good thing to say about getting old. It’s better than not getting old.
Comment by SouthSide Markie Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:30 am
===It occurred to me this morning that I’ve now been around longer than all four leaders and the governor===
Durkin has me by about 2 years. And I think also only Flowers Hoffman Munoz Syverson and Feigenholz
Comment by Been There Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:31 am
Me too
Comment by Todd Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:31 am
Time to retire, Rich! lol
Comment by Sweet N Sour Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:44 am
Was Jesse White still a state representative when you started, or was he still Cook County Recorder?
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:54 am
with Trump out, Harmon should re-send that pension relief letter.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:57 am
===Was Jesse White still a state representative===
Yes. Even watched him play in the House v. Senate softball games.
I was also standing next to MJM at the Democratic National Convention in 1996 when Recorder White approached Madigan to say he wanted to run for secretary of state. He made his pitch and walked away and MJM turned to me, smirked and sighed “Jesse.”
Little did he know…
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:59 am
Sobering. Based on House seniority, I’d be second after Flowers.
Comment by Rutger Hauer Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 12:00 pm
- Been There - Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 11:31 am:
Flowers is now the longest serving Black legislator in history of the GA
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 12:03 pm
Was there an election year Jesse White won every county or am I making this up? If so it’s remarkable and I don’t think will ever be accomplished again. I know counties don’t vote, but the way the state has politically changed since the 1990s…
Comment by Almost the weekend Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 12:12 pm
@Rich Miller — “It occurred to me this morning that I’ve now been around longer than all four leaders and the governor.” I remember we meet when you were passing around free printed Capitolfaxs to promote your back then new publication by the newspaper stand inside the Capitol….and you might remember me… many, many years later, we hung out for awhile in Cuba way back then too.
Comment by Moi Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 12:20 pm
-I’m pretty sure there are a few west Cook County burbs that are represented by both Harmon and Welch. Would be nice to be one of those mayors right now.-
I’m looking at the map & I see Northlake meets this, but others seem to have the line at the municipal boundary such as Bellwood, Berkeley, Maywood, Melrose Park, & River Forest, although a tiny bit of Maywood may be in Harmon’s district.
Comment by Blake Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 12:28 pm
No one in senate predates my time on Sprgfld. MJM, Flowers & Hoffman in the house. I worked against Jesse in his first SoS primary (McCarthy not Severn) but helped him in the general. Time to retire methinks.
Comment by Too da loo mf Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 12:38 pm
=== It occurred to me this morning that I’ve now been around longer than all four leaders and the governor. ===
Longer than that !
I have been around longer than all of them also, and when I started you were already Rich Miller
Comment by CitizensArrest Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 12:47 pm
Rich-I think only Flowers and Madigan have you beat.
Comment by Tom Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 1:10 pm
Roman - Speaker Welch’s Senate counterpart is Senator Lightford - so, close to President Harmon’s but no overlap. But this is a remap year!
Comment by Long Time Listener . . . Thursday, Jan 14, 21 @ 1:39 pm