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“Investigation” catches members playing video games on the floor

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* Hey, at least they didn’t make a big deal out of anybody commenting on this blog…

Caught on camera: Lawmakers play video games during budget debate

Investigation reveals diverted attention from some members

Instead of eyes on the budget, lawmakers had their eyes on their phones.

When people vote a lawmaker into office, they’d expect them to always be focused on their job. But during a budget session in April, some lawmakers played video games during a major debate over higher education funding.

State Representative Mike Smiddy (D-Port Byron) was found playing a game at his seat, and he didn’t apologize for his divided attention.

“I knew about the higher education bill. I had been in caucus, I knew what it was going to do for my schools both Western and Blackhawk,” Smiddy said.

He was asked if playing the game gave a bad impression to voters, or if it was a mistake to pull out the app during a debate funding hundreds of millions to colleges and universities. Smiddy had no answer.

Another lawmaker, State Representative Katherine Cloonen (D-Kankakee) was seen playing Candy Crush during the same debate. She put it away after she saw our cameras overhead.

She said in a statement she’s “been focused on working to end the budget impasse.” But she did not apologize or express any regret for playing games.

Hilarious.

* The Illinois Republican Party pounced…

#CandyCrushCloonen Doesn’t Have Time To Pass a Balanced Budget
Democrat State Rep. Kate Cloonen shamelessly plays videos games on the House floor

Just days ago, Democrat State Representative Kate Cloonen was caught shamelessly playing video games during session on the House floor.

Cloonen, unaware that voters in the 79th House District didn’t send her to Springfield to play video games, eventually stopped when she became mindful that she was on the House floor and there were onlookers in the gallery.

When asked on the matter, Cloonen said “she’s been focused on working to end the budget impasse.” When Cloonen was further pressed on the issue, Matt Porter, Capital Bureau Chief at WCIA-TV, says, “[Cloonen] did not apologize or express any regret for playing games.”

“If playing Candy Crush during session is being ‘focused,’ God help us from whatever havoc Kate Cloonen will wreak on Illinois whenever she decides to put down her iPad,” said Aaron DeGroot, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. “Illinois has gone nearly a full calendar-year without a budget. Our unpaid bill backlog is exploding, as is our unfunded pension liabilities. House Democrats like Kate Cloonen would rather play Mike Madigan’s ‘Game of Drones’ than pass a balanced budget. Legislators must act before it’s game over for Illinois.”

I understand why the party jumped down her throat, but this is probably not a road that anybody wants to go down. Just sayin…

…Adding… The ILGOP’s missive on Smiddy just landed in my inbox…

“Like other House Democrats, Mike Smiddy would rather play Mike Madigan’s ‘Game of Drones’ than pass a balanced budget,” said Aaron DeGroot, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. “Smiddy seems to be blissfully unaware that Illinois has gone nearly a full calendar-year without a budget, has an exploding unpaid bill backlog and unfunded pension liability, among other financial woes. Legislators like Smiddy must act before it’s game over for Illinois.”

“Game of Drones.” I kinda like that.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:33 am

Comments

  1. That man is playing Galaga!

    Comment by MissingG Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:36 am

  2. I guess doodling on a piece of paper would be OK.

    Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:39 am

  3. What with all the important work they’ve been doing the last year, it’s shocking, SHOCKING I TELL YAS that they’d dare take their eyes off all the action even for a second. I mean, we don’t pay them to play video games. We pay them to regurgitate party talking points and fan the flames of partisan rancor. Surely this brings unprecedented shame to one of our most venerated institutions

    Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:39 am

  4. –I understand why the party jumped down her throat, but this is probably not a road that anybody wants to go down. Just sayin…–

    Obvious to anyone but amateurs. Now they’re just asking for their own members to get tuned up. And they will, as anyone who’s spent five minutes in either chamber knows there’s plenty of material to work with.

    These party organization p.r. machines are really third-rate. Think first, then put out your silly press releases.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:39 am

  5. If I had to listen to floor debate all day every day without distraction I would beat my face on the desk repeatedly and there would be no more desk. The new desk budget would need to be increased.

    Comment by The Captain Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:39 am

  6. Oh-em-gee! Someone who isn’t 100% attentive to their job 100% of the time! I always am so let me call you out! /s

    Comment by Sick & Tired Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:41 am

  7. Junior high.

    Comment by Ray del Camino Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:42 am

  8. when you are in public, you gotta expect that what you do…whether on hot mic or someone focusing in via camera….will be recorded.

    Comment by Amalia Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:42 am

  9. FYI: As of 9:40 a.m., there are exactly zero instances of the hashtag ‘#CandyCrushCloonen‘ on Twitter.

    What’s the opposite of ‘viral’?

    – MrJM

    Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:43 am

  10. They should be more aware of the cameras rolling, but this is pretty weak reporting.

    Comment by out of touch Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:43 am

  11. #JustCrushinIt

    Comment by MissingG Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:43 am

  12. I forgot this is sweeps month for TV.

    Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:44 am

  13. Yawn. I multi-task all the time. Quite often listen to a background video while doing other stuff. I’d probably be playing a game, answering emails and texts, or blogging also.

    Comment by RNUG Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:45 am

  14. No problem as long as they don’t miss the text from the Speaker telling them how to vote.

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:45 am

  15. Senior citizens & prisoners are going without food, etc. while our legislators are playing games? Don’t they know this will come back to bite them in their re-election?

    Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:46 am

  16. Elsa said best: Let It Go, Let It Go…

    Comment by Westward Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:47 am

  17. No Republican legislators were caught playing games?

    Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:47 am

  18. ==- The Captain - Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:39 am: ==

    Good point.

    Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:49 am

  19. Get to the important facts: what level was she on?

    Comment by Wensicia Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:50 am

  20. Illinois is #7 in video game jobs, glad to see them supporting local industry /s

    http://fortune.com/2015/02/24/10-successful-states-video-game-development/

    Comment by ChicagoVinny Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:50 am

  21. “If I had to listen to floor debate all day every day without distraction I would beat my face on the desk repeatedly …”

    Workman Comp Investigator - How did you break your nose again?

    State Rep - I was listening to the budget debate, when a sudden compulsion came over me and I beat my face against the desk.

    Investigator - Writes a note “Self inflected injury, deny workman’s comp claim.”

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:52 am

  22. But it’s ok to ride around on a motorcycle in the middle of a work day? Come on, this is just silly.

    Comment by Delimma Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:52 am

  23. - Wensicia - +1

    Comment by RNUG Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:54 am

  24. What a ridiculous complaint. Intelligent humans are capable of doing more with their minds than listen to legal drivel on a subject they already know and have already made a decision upon. Attend a church service, look into a theatre showing a chick-flick at the men asleep or worse, look into any stands during a game, look into moving cars creeping along the Kennedy during rush hour, and you will discover that intelligent humans doing more than praying, watching the screen, rooting for their team, or driving.

    Anyone complainin about this is unworthy of empathy, humanity, common sense or a functioning mind. Pathetic gotcha games isn’t legislating, reporting or worthy of a response beyond a single finger salute.

    Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:54 am

  25. ===“Like other House Democrats, Mike Smiddy would rather play Mike Madigan’s ‘Game of Drones’ than pass a balanced budget,” said Aaron DeGroot, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. “Smiddy seems to be blissfully unaware that Illinois has gone nearly a full calendar-year without a budget, has an exploding unpaid bill backlog and unfunded pension liability, among other financial woes. Legislators like Smiddy must act before it’s game over for Illinois.”===

    Oh Aaron…

    Why O’ Why try to ignorantly pile on and go down THIS road..

    Do you want “people” to track Ron Sandack’s tweets during committee meetings?

    Sandack is the Governor’s Floor Leader and instead of paying attention or responding, Sandack feels the need to tweet snarky, real-time, tweets?

    You want to go down THIS road?

    Hows about staying silent and let the report speak for itself.

    I’d start cataloging tweets of GOP members during floor debates… if you want to play the righteous.

    Do. Better.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:55 am

  26. This “important” investigative piece is brought to us by the same lazy reporter who basically ran an Illinois Policy Institute propaganda piece on some of the highest paid public employees.

    Yes, legislators are fair game. However, I have more important concerns than whether one is playing a game during a debate where the main goal is to make soundbites for the media and campaign ads.

    Comment by Norseman Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:57 am

  27. Really?

    Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:57 am

  28. I’d rather see game playin in video format than the game playing where my wallet is their target.

    Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:57 am

  29. This will end well.

    Comment by Kyle Hillman Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:02 am

  30. Norseman +1

    =No Republican legislators were caught playing games?=

    Not ever by WCIA cameras. I dislike partisan hacks of any kind and this station fits that label to a T.

    Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:03 am

  31. If Hillary can do what she does with a smart phone, I am going to demand the ability to launch cataclysmic nuclear retaliation when I lose another game of Angry Birds.

    Grab that reporter’s phone and check out where he’s been.

    Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:03 am

  32. They, at least, were present. The press release was bad form. As a Republican, I request these same cameras focus on Republican legislators phones/laptops- equal coverage - after all, maybe they are playing different more exciting games.

    Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:03 am

  33. How can you tell they are playing games versus doing the GA business? Seem very similar these days - just sayn.

    Comment by A Citizen Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:04 am

  34. So only Dems in competitive districts play video games while in session?

    Comment by train111 Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:07 am

  35. This whole thing is pointlessly “gotcha,” and ILGOP once again takes a meaningless position on a non-issue with load of rhetorical garbage. Good work, everyone.

    Comment by Boooooooo Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:07 am

  36. I don’t think I have ever read a more childish press release. This is the type of people the GOP hires with all that rauner cash?! gonna be a long summer boys and girls.

    Comment by FeelTheChurn Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:07 am

  37. Staye Rep leans over and whispers to neighbor, “What is that trick to get to the next level of candy crush again?”

    Comment by Huh? Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:07 am

  38. Could be worse, they could have tweeted pictures of their breakfast while their colleagues were bemoaning the crippling effects of the impasse in a press conference.

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:08 am

  39. What happened to Yaffe? Get tossed after trashing GOPies for votin’ with the Ds on human services?

    So BigBrain givers the CarWashKing $5 million and this is the crisp politilca attack that gets mounted? Sheer genius. Perhaps Fire Madigan wasn’t as dumb as it looked.

    Comment by Annonin' Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:09 am

  40. I have been watching WCIA for 20 years, and, like all the other corporate outlets, they have only gotten stupider. All their original features are based on gimmicks, like this one. Their typical’reporter’ has zero sense of what is an actual news story. Their anchors are abysmally ignorant of national and world events. It’s a complete amateur hour but red meat to a large segment of their viewing audience, who also doesn’t understand what constitutes news. It really is a shame how so many hours of public airwave time are just tossed away each day.

    Comment by EconLady Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:10 am

  41. No big deal. However, they weren’t watching porn, because they are well versed in all those moves as politicians.

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:11 am

  42. Wonder if he and the Superstars did beer bongs after that stellar piece of investigative journalism?

    Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:16 am

  43. I once got rebuked by a political opponent who complained I was taking notes while people were speaking, and that this was a terrible example “for local children” and extremely rude and he hoped that they weren’t “writing things DOWN while their teachers are TALKING!” I was like “… I kind-of hope they are?”

    People have bizarre standards.

    Bring back the days when we could all knit or quilt while talking. Sitting still with nothing at all to do with your hands is TORTURE and for many people makes them worse listeners. It’s obnoxious to have to LOOK LIKE you’re listening according to arbitrary standards, instead of actually listening in the way that works best for you.

    Comment by Educ Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:20 am

  44. Some speakers set up silly unnecessary votes for mailers, others get video of the other side playing video game apps….it’s all stupid.

    Comment by A guy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:22 am

  45. I am sure Aaron DeGroot never, ever lets his attention wander from 100% concentration on his job at all times. Never plays Dots, looks up Cap Fax while working, thinks about what to have for lunch, or simply looks out a window while doing nothing. He is only a working machine.

    Comment by zatoichi Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:23 am

  46. I guess voting present over the course of a year constitutes laser beam focus; unfortunately, some constituents would disagree. He who lives in glass house… .

    Comment by Big T Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:25 am

  47. Did we mention the attack on Rep. Cloonen?
    Par for the GOPie course
    Is this all $5 million buys for the CarWashKing?

    Comment by Annonin" Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:26 am

  48. Yeah I have never seen a downstate Republican playing games except for when they have to pretend to like their Governor.

    Comment by Obamas Puppy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:27 am

  49. In a week when lawmakers debated and voted for detailed measures to overhaul a 20-year-old school funding formula and provide stopgap social service funding, a statehouse reporter focused on two reps playing games at their desk. Way to cover important issues being discussed and debated under the dome of the Illinois Capitol.

    Comment by Who's gaming who Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:30 am

  50. I often wonder how some employees (and they ARE our employees) get away with behavior on the job that would get the rest of us fired.

    Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:31 am

  51. There is a difference between

    Doing ==work== such as answering staff emails, reading briefings or even constituent outreach via email or social media

    And playing Video Games on the House floor at your publicly paid job.

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:40 am

  52. - Streator Curmudgeon -

    You don’t honestly think state reps are the only people playing games and surfing the net while on the job, do you? Ever hear of “Cyber Monday?”

    Comment by Phil Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:41 am

  53. Setting a good example for the public employees they lead statewide.

    You might be bored at your job, but are you a 12-year-old? Or just clueless?

    People have been fired from their jobs, both public and private, for less. Do better.

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:45 am

  54. Many years ago, in late night sessions, we pages would wrap bill amendments around beer cans and sell them to the Representatives. It was a way for them to cope with sitting around doing nothing for long stretches of time. Guess it’s hard to hide a video game. Maybe they should go back to beer. Might improve the chances of a budget deal…

    Comment by Mouthy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:46 am

  55. This is just silly. This is more “outrage” just for the sake of being outraged.

    Comment by Demoralized Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:53 am

  56. Formerly Known As +1

    Comment by Ottawa Phil Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:55 am

  57. “No Republican legislators were caught playing games?”

    Lot less of them to catch?

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:15 am

  58. Rich’s first line says it for me: I don’t play games,but this blog takes more time away from my work than it should…

    Comment by downstate commissioner Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:19 am

  59. –Oswego Willy’s man crush on Ron Sandack continues. #UnrequitedLove –

    No lame excuse for your comments above this time, Willy. Your unhealthy fascination requires help. So #GetTherapy.

    Comment by Georg Sande Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:21 am

  60. Willy, you know what we say about feeding the trolls - even those that have been absent awhile.

    Comment by Norseman Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:23 am

  61. Educ +1

    Comment by RIJ Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:26 am

  62. - Georg Sande -…

    Your unhealthy fascination continues.

    All your comments revolve around me. Are you jealous I don’t pay attention to you?

    Ron Sandack is the Raunerite House Floor Leader “who” has continued to tweet during hearings, committee meetings…

    If the ILGOP wants to pile on, look no further than the Raunerite Floor Leader. He’s fair game, especially with his already tweeting actions.

    I fed you, you going to be ok?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:27 am

  63. Gotta love the media. There’s a Pulitzer prize winning story about how Illinois politics has got us to a point that basic government services are essentially shut down.

    And where do they spend their resources? Sending interns to video the phones of elected officials.

    Sad state.

    Comment by Abe the Babe Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:31 am

  64. Geez, careful about that glass house you’re living in, guys.

    This makes the #TaxHikeMike trope look carefully considered by comparison.

    Comment by illini97 Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:35 am

  65. I was wondering what John Stossel has been up to, lol.

    Stuff like this makes me near certain that even with a “fair map” the GOP would never get a majority.

    Comment by The Way I See It Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:41 am

  66. Back in the day, I remember being in the House gallery & watching a GOP legislator peruse a Playboy he had hidden inside a folder.

    Comment by Hedley Lamarr Friday, May 13, 16 @ 11:53 am

  67. They’ve been doing that since it was Pac-Man

    Comment by Redux Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:04 pm

  68. Rauner has been playing his “turnaround agenda game” ever since he took office.

    Comment by DuPage Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:12 pm

  69. New house rule from Madigan. No cellphones on the floor. No problem for him. /s

    Comment by jls Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:39 pm

  70. ====There is a difference between Doing ==work== such as answering staff emails, reading briefings or even constituent outreach via email or social media====

    Indeed there is. But who is more likely to be able to pay attention to the floor debate? The person fiddling with Candy Crush or the person reading and responding to email? For many people, having something relatively mindless to fiddle with helps them focus on something like a long debate. Reading and responding to email requires focus away from the debate.

    Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, May 13, 16 @ 1:25 pm

  71. @Pot calling Kettle - on some occasions, that could be true. But the defense of ==“I knew about the higher education bill. I had been in caucus, I knew what it was going to do for my schools both Western and Blackhawk== is not that.

    The House took the full month of March off from the Statehouse. They have another break coming up for the summer. They are not on the floor for 40 hours every week.

    Even if these reps are bored to tears during a floor debate, they could at least pretend they appreciate the privilege of being in that seat for a few hours every week. /endrant

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 2:13 pm

  72. What an exclusive!!! Wow! Really blew the lid off that one. What’s next? They play cards?

    Comment by Storm Cloud Friday, May 13, 16 @ 2:29 pm

  73. –Even if these reps are bored to tears during a floor debate, they could at least pretend they appreciate the privilege of being in that seat for a few hours every week.–

    Yes, “pretending” to be dazzled by the level of discourse in the GA is very important to….. what, exactly?

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 13, 16 @ 2:37 pm

  74. “Yes, “pretending” to be dazzled by the level of discourse in the GA is very important to….. what, exactly?”

    What, people think floor debate has some impact on passing laws? What are we teaching these people in our educational system?

    Comment by ArchPundit Friday, May 13, 16 @ 2:45 pm

  75. –What, people think floor debate has some impact on passing laws?–

    Like the old-timers said, a floor debate may have changed some minds, but never a vote.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 13, 16 @ 2:48 pm

  76. ==is very important to….. what, exactly?==

    Your time on the floor as a member of that elected body is not the same as pulling a shift serving fries, even if it feels that way at times. That is your time sitting in one of the most powerful seats in the state, a seat with great history, meaning and symbol to the public. Mock my description if you like, but it is my opinion. Sitting in that seat makes you a leader of this state and an example to the public.

    Playing video games as a public official; while sitting on the House floor; being paid on the public dime; and with knowledge the media and public are present?

    That exhibits a great deal of disrespect for the public and the position, a level of disresepct bordering on contempt or entitlement.

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 3:02 pm

  77. –Your time on the floor as a member of that elected body is not the same as pulling a shift serving fries, even if it feels that way at times.–

    No, it’s not. Fry makers actually do their jobs, day in and day out, without a lot of nonsensical perfidy.

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 13, 16 @ 3:24 pm

  78. What would Bill Black say?

    “It is an honor to be here. Treat it as such.”

    Even though much of what occurs on the Floor can be boring, meaningless, redundant, foolish — still show proper respect to the body and its members.

    (Then again, Bill wouldn’t know how to play with those new-fangled gadgets. LOL)

    Comment by walker Friday, May 13, 16 @ 4:14 pm

  79. ==day in and day out, without a lot of nonsensical perfidy==

    An experience many office workers and professionals in the public and private sectors can relate to.

    Should all state employees now be allowed to play video games while on the clock and stuck in boring meetings? Or just our elected legislators?

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 4:16 pm

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