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* I told subscribers about this on Saturday. The Politico story is a bit convoluted, but it’s so far the only other outlet to have covered this exceedingly rare if not unprecedented move, so here you go…
A big shift in Democratic leadership was announced Saturday. Rep. LaToya Greenwood of East St. Louis takes over for Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana as House majority conference chair.
The move, which drew praise from Democratic moderates, came after an apparent power grab on the House floor.
Rep. Delia Ramirez was taking her turn presiding as speaker when Rep. Terra Costa Howard’s bill on handling “unfounded” DCFS reports came up. Ramirez said she needed a break and stepped aside, allowing Ammons to take the gavel — a position that requires neutrality toward lawmakers and legislation.
Ammons opposed the DCFS bill and tapped Rep. Mary Flowers, a fellow Democrat critical of the measure, to question Costa-Howard. Onlookers said Flowers was abusive and that Ammons allowed her to go on too long.
Lawmakers said Ammons misused the podium and that the whole episode looked choreographed, though Flowers says it wasn’t.
Rep. Rita Mayfield also made a move to reconsider the vote before that was withdrawn. The bill passed.
In announcing Ammons’ exit, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said, “I am grateful for the work she has done” and that he’s “happy” to have Greenwood on board.
As subscribers know, there’s more to it than that, but a member of leadership getting the boot with just a few days left in session is pretty big news.
* This morning…
I’m happy to announce that I have appointed @GreenwoodRep, D-East St. Louis, as Majority Conference Chairperson. I am eager to see the progress Leader Greenwood will make as she grows into this role and the continued success of our Caucus here in the Statehouse. pic.twitter.com/zRTo0gOZIE
— Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (@RepChrisWelch) May 31, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 31, 21 @ 10:42 am
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Mr. Miller you spelled leader Greenwood’s name wrong.
Comment by Bruce Rauner Monday, May 31, 21 @ 10:52 am
To the post,
Extreme measures so the continuity of this calming transformation of leadership can continue, and trust… between all in the caucus and its leadership can hold this, sometimes changes in real time make real sense.
I’ll leave it there.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 31, 21 @ 10:57 am
Thanks, Bruce. More coffee definitely needed
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 31, 21 @ 11:06 am
OK, having listened to more than a few of Rep. Flowers’ rants, I’m curious how much worse this would have had to be than normal to get this kind of reaction. She’s not known for being calm, fair, or reasonable (as far as I know, which is admittedly pretty far removed).
Comment by Perrid Monday, May 31, 21 @ 11:13 am
I believe it frequently happens especially at the end of session that some members get abusive and very argumentative with each other. Why is this so different that it resulted in a leadership change?
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, May 31, 21 @ 11:15 am
===Why is this so different===
Subscribe
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 31, 21 @ 11:29 am
Looking forward to upcoming writings from Jim Dey at the News-Gazette on this topic. Wonder if cheers will be heard coming from a certain Champaign County thrift store this week?
Comment by 62468 Monday, May 31, 21 @ 12:35 pm
Rich: Touché
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, May 31, 21 @ 1:17 pm
If the person breaking decorum is also in leadership why wasn’t leader Flowers punished. Does the fact that not a single black or progressive legislator voted for the bill mean anything. (Besides the Speaker, please correct if wrong) What was Rep Ammons supposed to do, tell leader Flowers to shut up and sit down. The bill will hurt black families and you expect Mary Flowers to be quiet about it.
Comment by DTAG Monday, May 31, 21 @ 1:38 pm
If Rep. Flowers, Ammons, and Ramirez, said it wasn’t coordinated why doesn’t anyone believe them. #MeToo
Comment by DTAG Monday, May 31, 21 @ 1:57 pm
This was a misuse of power and the lack of professional respect was an embarrassment to the entire Democratic caucus.
Comment by Really Monday, May 31, 21 @ 3:00 pm
So…Ramirez needed to take a break right when a bill hated by Ammons comes up…then Ammons gets the gavel…and she hands the floor to Flowers. Coincidence? C’mon. Welch 100% did the right thing.
Comment by Shytown Monday, May 31, 21 @ 3:52 pm
DTAG — Five members of the Progressive Caucus voted yes.
Comment by Soccermom Monday, May 31, 21 @ 3:52 pm
I’m going to quibble with the word “forced” in the headline. Speaker Welch was not forced to make this move; he made a decision that he thought would be best for his caucus. I call that leadership.
Comment by Soccermom Monday, May 31, 21 @ 4:31 pm
Soccermom- I stand corrected I looked very quickly at the roll call. Still I can imagine there were other ways to make a point. But I supposed tell Rep. Flowers to sit down and shut up would have went over better with the Mod Squad than “Representative Flowers can you bring your remarks to a close” repeatedly.
Comment by DTAG Monday, May 31, 21 @ 4:39 pm
Ammons took the County Chair position by unethical means in Champaign County; stole a purse from a Charity and the whole issue was swept under the rug by the investigator; you think this was an accident on the bill? Hardly. She is used to “getting away with it”. This time, she did not. Thank you, Speaker Welch! We have no ruling Monarchs in the U.S.A.
Comment by MaryLouise Monday, May 31, 21 @ 5:18 pm
Rep Costa Howard was told numerous times that members of the Black Caucus has strong concerns regarding the bill. She moved forward knowing that bill would be challenged. She went on to state several times how the bill would benefit her not the black children that are being harmed, I commend Rep Flowers for standing up to protect Black Children thar are being bought and sold by DCFS in a modern day slavery scheme.
Comment by realtalk9912 Monday, May 31, 21 @ 6:36 pm
@realtalk are there only 7 members of the Black Caucus now? 89-7-2 scoreboard, hyperbole about slavery notwithstanding
Comment by sewer thoughts Monday, May 31, 21 @ 7:49 pm