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* Background on Rep. Carol Ammons’ removal from leadership is here and here if you need it. From Rep. Ammons’ Facebook page…
It was important to me to be reflective before I Issued this statement. I came to Springfield to fight to bring equity to a system that is failing many and I will not apologize for that. There is no title or amount of money that will take me off of that position. My family lives by this motto, “I will not compromise my dignity, and I will not violate the dignity of others!” So whatever my past, you can count on me to be who I am demanded to be, for the people I serve.
The year that I was born in 1972, Shirley Chisolm stated: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” In January 2021, my work ethic and diligence to represent the constituents of the 103rd and the people of the state of Illinois earned me an invite to bring my ‘folding chair’ to the “leadership” table.
This position was created to unite a vision for holistic democratic values that encompassed traditional, progressive, moderate, and the varying needs within the party. It was also established to ensure we, as a Democratic unit, were upholding and fighting for both the voices of the heard, but more critically the voices of the unheard.
I approached this role with the same fearlessness, fight, and ferocity that I have throughout my over 20-year career as an activist/organizer, as well as my 15 years in public service; 5 years on the Champaign County Board, 2 years as an Alderwoman in Urbana, and 7 years as a state legislator. I brought to the role the same tenacious fire I had when I Co-founded Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice, as a member of the NAACP, working to pass prison reform legislation, temporary workers rights, protection of the Mahomet Aquifer, repeal the criminalization of people living with HIV and access to affordable higher education. I had the same passion when I helped move the four Pillars to end systemic racism with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, and when I advocated with all my might to ensure the historic vote of the first African American Speaker of the House of Representatives in Illinois’ over 200-year history.
During the course of my journey, as a Black woman and leader, I have always been unapologetic in my fight for truth, justice, and equity. My work is steeped in authenticity and integrity. To be clear, my journey has borne witness to the reality that inequities and the need to demand respect exists on all levels. And while I know I have not compromised my dignity or violated anyone else’s, on May 29, 2021, I was asked to take my folding chair to another table. As an activist/organizer it has always been important to highlight the contradictions within the society, organizations, or relationships. In the seven years I’ve been In Springfield I have witnessed the exact same argument be received differently based on the gender and/or the hue of the skin of the person delivering it. That reality was never a deterrent for me prior to being given a seat at the table of “leadership” and it will not be a deterrent for me going forward. I was taught that leadership is honest work and correct thinking and therefore can come from anyone at any time.
As your Representative, I wanted you all to know that I remain committed to working honestly and being well prepared to offer the correct analysis of any bill I work on, or any relationship that develops while working on your behalf. In short, I will continue to offer leadership whether my folding chair has a space at the table, or if I have to pick it up and move it to another location!
In Service,
Rep. Carol Ammons
I ran that letter through a file-converter program, so please pardon any transcription errors.
When asked for a response, House Speaker Welch’s spokesperson referred me to his original comments.
* Welch was asked about Ammons by Mark Maxwell. Transcript…
Maxwell: I don’t know if it was the hands off approach that led to some of the fights from the Democratic caucus spilling over onto the floor debate. I saw that a couple times down the stretch, between Rep. Terra Costa Howard and Rep. Ammons and between Reps. Tarver and Rep. Slaughter. Are you happy to just let these fights take place on the open floor? Wouldn’t you rather keep that in caucus behind closed doors?
Welch: Listen, we’re a diverse caucus. Diversity is a strength of our state. When you have diversity you have diversity of thought and democracy. You have to let people have debates.
Maxwell: What’s the line between a diverse caucus and a divided caucus?
Welch: Well, we’re not divided. I think people can see that we’re not divided. We had a very successful session. You don’t accomplish the things that we did by being divided. This is a very united caucus, but we’re geographically diverse, racially diverse, culturally diverse. Diversity is a great thing within us, it’s one of our strengths. But with that comes differences, and we’re not going to stifle debate. I think that’s important. I think if you look back on previous general assemblies, we’ve had some nice spirited debates on the floor of the House of Representatives, that’s nothing new, and you’re not gonna step in and start with a baby, that’s just not my style. And all I ask our colleagues to do is keep it professional.
Maxwell: Was that a reference to Representative Ammons?
Welch: That was a reference to ‘in general.’ Just keep it professional.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 2:38 pm
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As a constituent who has helped her campaigns, I wish she would drop the unapologetic tone. You can make progress and build consensus without burning bridges. Passion is great, but bullying through power is not.
Comment by thechampaignlife Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:05 pm
No one thinks more highly of Carol Ammons than Carol Ammons. We have all had to endure folks who simply cannot take criticism - or face the consequences of unprofessional behavior - but instead turn each of those instances into an opportunity to play victim. It’s exhausting.
Comment by Hahaha Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:08 pm
I miss the days of weekly eruptions on the floor by Bill Black, Mike Bost and Tim Johnson.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:09 pm
I think Welch is spot on, but he fell a little short in not addressing Flowers. Flowers has a long history of silly behavior and demands. She does not represent her entire district and has never set foot in the western portion of her district that I know of even though it is only a few miles from her office.
Welch cannot do anything about the nonsense coming out of the eastern bloc but kudos addressing his party.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:27 pm
To be fair, all of the focus in the debate in question is on how Ammons handled the gavel. I have not heard anyone say that Leader Flowers’ behavior was extremely unprofessional and not at all respectful to the sponsor.
Comment by Anon1 Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:35 pm
That’s great that Ammons is unapologetic in her fight for truth, justice and equity, but in this instance her fight fell short and cost her the leadership spot. Maybe she should rethink her tactics to find the most effective way to wage that fight.
Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:40 pm
Member Management + Herding Cats + Rallying to Common Goals = Leadership in a Caucus
The rest?
The rest is the pulling on the loose string, stepping out of line, and forgetting… professionalism
Prolly why I gave Welch a B+ / A-
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:43 pm
To the best of my knowledge Ammons’ only action with respect to the Mahomet Aquifer was to cast her one vote to have Urbana support the effort I spearheaded. I understand politicians are prone to hyperbole and the Mahomet Aquifer battle was historic, but she simply did not do anything yet she consistently lists it as a major achievement.
Comment by Hon Don Gerard Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 3:47 pm
Speaker Welch’s “hands-off” approach should be considered a test for members who want to be noticed and climb the ladder, because this leadership move was a sign that he will take action if a member goes too far.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 4:35 pm
Interesting how Leader Ramerez who needed to use the washroom while in the chair and took it upon herself to have Ammons replace her has not been mentioned. Coincidentally The Costa Howard bill came up at the same time Ammons took the chair. It was a long bathroom break.
Comment by What is next? Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 5:11 pm
Had a seat at the table, abused the privilege, now using a folding chair.
You do you, Carol.
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 6:06 pm
“No one thinks more highly of X than X.”
True for many — if not most — public officials.
It takes no small amount of ego to offer one’s name on a ballot.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 6:19 pm
Holding the gavel is very different than being on the floor, both are important and necessary to the process, but you’ve got to learn to distinguish between the two.
Comment by people caring loudly Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 6:35 pm
Is it just me, or do others also find it weird that Carol assures us that she is “steeped in authenticity and integrity”? Says, who, Carol?
Comment by Afarensis Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 6:46 pm
Don Gerard, please let us know all the details — names, dates, times, etc — that you personally were lobbying the House and working with House members to help shepherd the bill through the House.
Looking forward to hearing the details.
Comment by filmmaker prof Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 7:32 pm
Someone finally held Ammons accountable. Congrats, Mr. Speaker.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 9:30 pm
@3.27pp:”…has never set foot in the western portion of her district that I know of…”
I have seen Mary Flowers at public meetings in the western portion of her district. Each time she has been gracious and helpful to all who attended the meetings.
Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Jun 8, 21 @ 9:42 pm
“ This position was created to unite a vision for holistic democratic values that encompassed traditional, progressive, moderate, and the varying needs within the party”
Is she saying her former position was created for all that?
Comment by leadership Wednesday, Jun 9, 21 @ 9:21 am