Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Speaker Welch reacts to Leader Durkin stepping down

Posted in:

Illinois

* Background is here if you need it. From House Speaker Chris Welch…

I want to congratulate and thank Leader Durkin on nine years of leading the Republicans in the Illinois House of Representatives. As leaders of our own respective parties, we of course have fundamental differences on policy, but we love Illinois the same and I know Leader Durkin worked passionately on behalf of those who elected him to serve.

I look forward to working with a new Republican leader as we head into the 103rd General Assembly. I’m hopeful to find opportunities to reach across the aisle, to mend some of the relationships that have been strained in this political climate, and to build on our common purpose as public servants for the people of Illinois.

posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:00 am

Comments

Nice statement but it is easier to say when you have a super majority. Good luck to next guy and good luck to Durkin

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:03 am
===Nice statement but it is easier to say when you have a super majority===

Proving once again that people will complain about literally everything. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:04 am
That’s how you do it downtown.

Good stuff there.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:05 am
Couldn’t have said it any better. Well done.

Comment by Torco Sign Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:06 am
The right thing to say, well said.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:07 am
“Easier to say ”

Or maybe the guy has some class.

A character many GOP leaders are lacking.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:08 am
For everyone yesterday who congratulated Bailey for picking up the phone, this is how it’s done

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:12 am
=== I’m hopeful to find opportunities to reach across the aisle, to mend some of the relationships that have been strained in this political climate===

We need more of this in our politics but even more in our government. Well said Mr. Speaker.

Comment by Mr. Middle Ground Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:16 am
I look forward to how the newly elected Democrats from the suburbs work on issues. It’s not one broad brush in the Democratic Party. The SAFE T act discussion should be very interesting.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:19 am
===The right thing to say===

Agreed.

Comment by Rogo Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:25 am
If Welch had resigned instead, Durkin’s statement would have been:

I want to congratulate and thank Speaker Welch on his years of leading the Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives. As leaders of our own respective parties, we of course have fundamental differences on policy, but … HE LOVES MADIGAN!

Comment by JoeMaddon Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:26 am
**I look forward to how the newly elected Democrats from the suburbs work on issues. … The SAFE T act discussion should be very interesting.**

That’s a pretty progressive crew of newly elected suburban Dems though.

The House and Senate dem caucuses arguably both got more progessive on Tuesday.

Comment by JoeMaddon Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:27 am
This election in Illinois and in places like Florida where they flipped 4 Congressional seats red certainly emphasize that we need redistricting reform. Here the Gov gets 55-ish % but the Legislalture is overwhelming Dem. It needs to change. The GOP abuses the power in many other States.

Comment by Watching Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:38 am
Classy statement by the Speaker. He is to be commended.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:48 am
Kind of undercuts the “both sides” arguments we hear about political divisiveness. Maybe that’s why some are dismissive of the gesture.

It also stands a bit in contrast to what we heard from Durkin yesterday about continuing the “fight against the Democratic party”. Because if your objective is merely to fight, you’ll continue to get candidates who know nothing else. And the voters of this state are clearly looking for more from the ILGOP.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:19 am