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* Looks like they couldn’t even get the entire Freedom Caucus to join in on this stunt…
Springfield, IL - Instead of participating in the political theater at the University of Illinois, Springfield, State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) and other like-minded Republicans will be sworn in at the Illinois State Capitol.
Judge Mike McHaney will be issuing the oath of office to them at 12:15 pm at the Illinois State Capitol. The decision to take the oath of office at the Illinois State Capitol is to highlight the fact that many of the problems in Illinois begin with the bad policies coming from Springfield and conversely the need for better policies begins at the State Capitol.
WHO: State Reps. Adam Niemerg, Blaine Wilhour, Chris Miller, and Brad Halbrook
WHAT: House swearing in ceremony
WHERE: 3rd Floor of the Illinois Capitol in front of the Grand Staircase painting
WHEN: 12:15 pm, January 8, 2025
The press and media are invited to attend.
* Flashback on Judge McHaney…
“The State will appeal immediately,” @GovPritzker’s Chief of staff says.
Judge Michael McHaney clearly wanted an audience. He asked, “How about the states who never shut down in the first place?” And said this EO robbed him of his constitutional right to fish on a lake. https://t.co/WojHgqSZeW
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) April 27, 2020
…Adding… Upon further consideration, I’m wondering if this publicity attempt is more about getting out of voting for Tony McCombie in the House Speaker’s election.
…Adding… Speaker Welch’s speech had a message for the folks above…
Everyone who is ready to do the work and meet the challenges of this moment will have a partner in me—always.
But know this: We were sent here to foster compassion, not division.
We’re expected to make the path to a bright future wider, not narrower.
And our mission is to build something better, not tear it all down.
So cruel and regressive policies that dehumanize our neighbors or strip away fundamental freedoms will have no home in Illinois.
Those whose goal is simply performative outrage and provocation will find that this House will not waste the people’s time on their games.
And those who wrongly believe their job here is simply to say ‘no’ will find that decisions are made by those with the sincere desire and the moral clarity to get to ‘yes.’
Because that’s what this moment, unlike any other, demands of us.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:28 am
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Yeah because “3rd Floor of the Illinois Capitol in front of the Grand Staircase painting” doesn’t look like political theater at all.
Comment by Neef Jr. Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:32 am
They are experts at theater.
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:33 am
These reps spend more time complaining about city of Chicago and national politics than they do serving their own districts.
Comment by Drifter182 Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:35 am
== 3rd Floor of the Illinois Capitol in front of the Grand Staircase painting==
LOL. That is political theatre at its finest.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:37 am
Excellent. The four Legislators whose constituents are the most poorly represented further isolate themselves from the process.
This is a protest in search of a cause.
Comment by Um, no Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:39 am
Sorry but there is no reason to hold inauguration at UIS. I do not agree with Freedom Caucus stunt but inauguration should be in the House Chamber. Days of worrying about coffee, cake and fried chicken are over.
Comment by Henry Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:42 am
This is one tiny step above getting sworn in outside of Four Seasons Total Landscaping.
Comment by Skokie Man Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:42 am
===Days of worrying about coffee, cake and fried chicken are over===
lol
To be replaced by… ?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:43 am
While “political theater” may deeply offend them, the IL-GOP is always happy to participate in théâtre de l’absurde.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:49 am
Henry - you may be surprised to learn that a lot of House members appreciate having their family see them get sworn in. That wasn’t possible when it was at the House Chamber and seats were limited.
Of all the things to get outraged over this isn’t one of them.
Are you going to say President Trump should be sworn in at the White House too?
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:54 am
- Henry - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:42 am:
Sorry but there is no reason to hold inauguration at UIS. I do not agree with Freedom Caucus stunt but inauguration should be in the House Chamber. Days of worrying about coffee, cake and fried chicken are over.
This is for families and friends who stood by these men and women as they had ran for these offices. Most of these guys wouldn’t’ care if they got sworn in, at the nurses office. But Their partners care, nad their kids care.
So Get overself man.
Comment by Someone you shoudl know Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:57 am
== inauguration should be in the House Chamber==
I have always felt this way but this stunt comes across as very childish and “free” of any rational, adult thought. The “Freedom Caucus” at its finest.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:00 pm
===I have always felt this way===
118 House members. Most all of them have family, district staff and others in town. There’s no harm in having inauguration at UIS even if some people think it’s some hallowed tradition to hold it in the House chambers.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:02 pm
Isn’t the reason it’s held at UIS is that it’s a space issue. Meaning with families and everyone else there just isn’t room.
Comment by Doc Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:04 pm
Henry: Cleary you have never been in the House Chamber on this day. Or you simply choose to ignore the reality of trying to pack 118 members, their friends and family members into the chamber. Along with staff and media. And especially with respiratory infections raging right now.
But please do let us know your other profound and well thought out comments.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:04 pm
The UIS swearing in is about capacity for family, loved ones and friends being able to participate in the special day.
Screaming at clouds as a mode of operation is special.
Remember, these history buffs call themselves the Eastern Bloc. . . . . . .on purpose.
Comment by Really? Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:05 pm
===these history buffs call themselves the Eastern Bloc===
No. Some of their Republican colleagues came up with the term and I heard someone use it and thought it was appropriately hilarious. And then it stuck, which may be one reason why they tried to brand themselves as the Freedom Caucus.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:11 pm
The United States of America has a schizophrenia problem.
Comment by Macon Deliberations Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:14 pm
===To be replaced by…?
Carter’s fish
Poe’s chicken
Joe Lyons’s Pastrami sandwiches
Joe Kotlarz’s pizzas
Seriously, crowd size was an issue but it has always been an issue. There was something special about the House Chamber on Inauguration Day.
Comment by Henry Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:21 pm
===There was something special about===
And it’s totally fine to feel this way, but more people wanted to come so there’s nothing wrong with doing it at UIS.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:24 pm
@misterjayem — Oh Gomez, you spoke French!
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:33 pm
Personally, I’m a little bias. UIS helped me launch my career
It’s been a good one. I think it’s great the house comes out there. It Showcases the University and the great work they do out there. I know for a fact others on this thread will agree 
It did them well too
Comment by Someone you shoudl know Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:34 pm
=There was something special about the House Chamber on Inauguration Day.=
Sentimentality isn’t driving these reps to act like loons, a need for attention is.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:35 pm
I call them the Eastern Blocheads for a reason.
Comment by Glengarry Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:39 pm
Guessin’ these good ole boys will be first in line to grab their new free license plates and other goodies handed out.
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:41 pm
Given that I heard Rep. Miller making some loathsome comments about some of the participants last time, I’m guessing he won’t be much missed. (He and his group were walking behind me. I will never forgive myself for not turning around and letting him have it.)
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:43 pm
Correction to the BLOC media advisory:
WHO: Legislative Thespians
WHAT: Perform Political Theater
As to the chamber vs UIS issue, c’mon man. This is a celebration of democracy. The more people who see it in action the better.
Also, 25 ILCS 5 only says the General Assembly shall be held at the seat of government, which is Springfield not the Capitol Building. Last time I checked, UIS is in Springfield city limits (as was the BOS Center).
Comment by Inverted Pyramid Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:50 pm
I love that for them.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:00 pm
Has McCombie now set the record for fewest ever number of votes for Speaker of Illinois House?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:04 pm
=Guessin’ these good ole boys will be first in line to grab their new free license plates and other goodies handed out=
The license plates are not free. The Legislators pay the fees that every other car owner pays.
Comment by Um, no Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:12 pm
If you’ve attended inauguration at UIS, you have seen the baby strollers w tiny little ones, the little kids in their finest clothes, the proud grandparents, nieces and nephews, everyone smiling ear to ear, folks in wheelchairs and with walkers and the long lines to get in to see their family members sworn in. I can’t even imagine all these people navigating getting into the chamber. UIS auditorium is always nearly packed. Make this protest make sense. This is a happy day for so many! Let it be.
Comment by Ugh Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:13 pm
Ugh, you want this protest to make sense? It’s in your comment. “ This is a happy day for so many!”
This group does not approve of this many people being happy. Especially if they have ever resided in or near the City of Chicago. That’s why they’re pretending to be upset.
Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:21 pm
=== Has McCombie now set the record for fewest ever number of votes for Speaker of Illinois House? ===
I don’t think so. “Back in the day” Madigan recieved 117 votes for Speaker. The GOP had a bipartisan epiphany, and called for his unanimous election.
However, House Rules require that the “Minority Leader” be whomever comes in second, so someone had to vote for Tom Cross (pretty sure it was 2003, not 2001).
That person was Mike Madigan.
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:22 pm
–And those who wrongly believe their job here is simply to say ‘no’ will find that decisions are made by those with the sincere desire and the moral clarity to get to ‘yes.’–
*But only if 60 Democrats agree first
Comment by JB13 Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:27 pm
The license plates are not free. The Legislators pay the fees that every other car owner pays.
Probably from district office accounts or campaign cash
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 2:02 pm
My kids’ graduation ceremonies were at UIS instead of the high school gymnasium. Do they have to give their diplomas back?
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 2:14 pm
==The GOP had a bipartisan epiphany, and called for his unanimous election.==
It wasn’t a one-off. This was the way it was for many years. Madigan and Democrats did it for Daniels in 1995. Acclimation, with a roll call vote scattered here and there. IIRC, the good vibes ended for good in 2013.
Comment by 1995 Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 2:52 pm
Q: who administered the oath of office at UIS?
Comment by Stephanie Kollmann Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 2:59 pm
== IIRC, the good vibes ended for good in 2013.==
Yes. The Dems used it against Skip Saviano (Saviano voted for Madigan in a mailer) even though Skip’s vote was part of the vote by acclamation and that ended the practice. The Dems will say they only did this due to certain anti Madigan billboards being put up along the highway by the House Republican Organization when Saviano was running that group.
Thats the way I remember it in any event.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 3:19 pm
“This group does not approve of this many people being happy. Especially if they have ever resided in or near the City of Chicago. “
Spot on and haha, Juice. Downstater here and I often get the feeling some of my fellow downstate folks in attendance at inauguration travelled as little as me and my family did growing up (aka not at all). They must feel like Chicago, the suburbs, Peoria, Rockford have come to visit them for once. Good for all involved for all to gather in our state capital!
Comment by Ugh Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 3:45 pm
A: A: have confirmed. It was indeed Justice Joy Cunningham who administered the oath of office to most members of the IL House.
Some are eager to indicate by word and deed that the authority of certain people, Black women in particular, is inherently illegitimate.
It shouldn’t go by unnoticed or uncensured.
Comment by Stephanie Kollmann Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 4:45 pm