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[Bumped up to Friday for visibility.]
* Click here for background if you’re not up to speed. CBS 2…
In a stunning development amid ongoing negotiations to end the budget crisis in Springfield, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno has announced she is stepping down July 1.
Radogno’s announcement came after a private meeting with GOP Senate colleagues, on the heels of a meeting of the four top state lawmakers at the Illinois State Capitol.
“I have really tried hard and it’s time for someone else to take the reins,” Radogno said at a news conference, adding she wants to travel with her husband and spend time with her five grandchildren.
She told reporters that the end of the fiscal year is a “natural break” to leave her position, despite the fact that leaders in the House and Senate have still failed to reach a budget deal. She said she would continue to work on a resolution through Friday.
* Sun-Times…
Radogno began her third term as leader in 2013. She has served in the Illinois Senate since 1997 and represents the 41st District in DuPage, Will and Cook counties.
In discussing her departure, she also became teary-eyed while discussing the sudden death of Lisa Radogno, her daughter, in 2014. Lisa Radogno, 31, was an executive assistant for Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.; she died from a blood clot in her lung about a month after she was injured in a hit-and-run accident.
“It doubled down my interest in it [politics], but it did give me the perspective that nothing is forever,” Radogno said. “And I don’t want to squander my life with my husband and my grandkids and my other daughters. We only all have a certain amount of time and that experience told me, that’s for sure.”
Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, praised Radogno, saying she “demonstrated true willingness to negotiate in good faith,” and that she showed the “humanity” that’s needed within the next few days to end the budget impasse.
* Tina took a great photo…
Senators lined up outside the press conference to give Radogno hugs. pic.twitter.com/w1IB5oNvBA
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) June 29, 2017
* More…
* Illinois Senate Republican leader Radogno steps down: Even before her announcement, behind-the-scenes efforts to replace Radogno were being made by state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who served as her top deputy in the Senate GOP caucus, and by state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, the former Kane County Board chairwoman from St. Charles, legislative sources said. Talk of Radogno’s decision had begun spreading privately during the closing days of June in the aftermath of months of contentiousness with a Democratic legislative majority and a demanding Republican governor who has extensively used his personal wealth to command loyalty among GOP lawmakers. Radogno found her members’ loyalty to Rauner sometimes created problems with loyalty to her leadership, some GOP lawmakers said privately. That surfaced in attempts with Democrat Cullerton to negotiate an end to the state’s historic budget impasse known as the “grand bargain.”
* Christine Radogno resigns from Illinois Senate: She said she was not leaving out of frustration with a lack of support from the governor. “I feel strongly the governor has the right agenda, but it’s not that easy getting there. We need fundamental change in this building, but we need to compromise in order to get there,” she said.
* Radogno sends shockwave with sudden resignation from Senate: Radogno said she isn’t resigning because of the lack of budget progress. “I can expel that unequivocally,” Radgono said. “I was disappointed … that it didn’t happen. If that was my motivation, I would have been gone then. I really wanted to continue to try to deal with the hand we’ve been dealt and try to get to a place where we have the agreement.”
* Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno to resign: In the past few weeks, Radogno has maintained a relatively low profile at the Capitol. When Senate Republicans have scheduled news conferences or other public events to present their views, Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Sen. Karen McConnaughay of St. Charles have often led the discussion. Radogno, who has served in the Senate since 1997, did not mention a successor to her role as Senate Republican leader. In her statement, she said it was time for a new leader.
* Batinick: Timing of Radogno’s resignation ‘brings uncertainty’: “I’m not surprised that she resigned; I am surprised that she is doing it so soon,” Batinick told the Will County Gazette. “I knew her very well and respected her very much. I wish her the best in the future. Her replacement has big shoes to fill.”
* Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno latest to resign: Radogno’s resignation follows that of state Rep. Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook, state Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine, state Sen. Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge, among others.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 1:18 am
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–Radogno found her members’ loyalty to Rauner sometimes created problems with loyalty to her leadership, some GOP lawmakers said privately. That surfaced in attempts with Democrat Cullerton to negotiate an end to the state’s historic budget impasse known as the “grand bargain.”
Rauner contended the so-called bargain did not go far enough and Democrats accused him of stripping away votes from a version of the package.–
And some are maneuvering to assume that thankless position of disrespect and abuse for trying to do the right thing?
Careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:25 pm
At least there is one thoroughly honorable person among that den of thieves. She deserved much better than she got from what purported to be her caucus and party.
Comment by Skirmisher Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:36 pm
The GOP members of the Legislature have fallen in love with the cash that Rauner distributes among them. It works out well for them but it’s not working out well for the citizens of Illinois. Radogno tried too hard to find compromise and that led to her demise. The Governor has instructed his lap dogs not to do much compromising. Keep the leverage of the crisis going a while longer and we’ll get everything we want appears to still be the strategy.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:44 pm
When we start losing decent members of the loyal opposition like her, we are all in trouble. We’ve seen this movie before — in Congress (Boehner)
Comment by Molly Maguire Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:49 pm
Wrong person resigned
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:50 pm
Take Madigan with you!!!!
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:50 pm
I hope she writes a book…one of those that’s like: “I have nothing left to lose now, nothing left to compromise. Here’s what happened, and here’s my explanation for my part in it.”
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:55 pm
Who can blame her for not wanting to be associated with Rauner anymore? Wish more GOP members had her strength.
Comment by Winnin' Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 5:59 pm
Winnin’ - don’t put words into her mouth. That is trollish speculation on your part that reflects your particular dislike of the governor, not hers.
Comment by weary Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 6:12 pm
Sheesh, Batinick is already referring to her in the past tense.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 6:28 pm
I wish she would be straight about her reasons. You don’t resign in the final days of a special session after two years of toxic fighting without some big reason. If, as it seems, she’s tired of rauner undermining her and strong arming the party’s legislators, it’d be of value to say so in order to help casual observers of state politics to better grasp the situation.
Comment by hexagon Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 6:39 pm
The only republican with any b***s is a woman.
Comment by Depressed Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 6:41 pm
===don’t put words in her mouth ==÷
Weary….you got a better explanation?
Comment by Galena Guy Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 6:42 pm
She was a good soldier for Rauner, but no Purple Hearts for the wounds she suffered on his behalf. Others should take heed, all Rauner’s money won’t patch your bleeding reputationd.
Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 7:04 pm
Reputations, I meant.
Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 7:05 pm
Unfortunately, this is yet another good legislator leaving the G.A. Say what you want about her and Elaine Nekritz - they were great leaders, negotiators and wanted to get something done for the State. Both know that if you get 60% of what you want - its a good deal. Sadly, the testosterone is too heady. Very sorry to see them go.
Comment by Another good one bites the dust Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 7:21 pm
Say what you will - Rauner the Destroyer takes another victim.
Comment by El Conquistador Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 8:44 pm
I agree with the first half of The Dude’s post and believe much the same could be said about Democratic members of the House and Madigan. As for leaving now, while I see that others are speculating that she is leaving “because Rauner”, I’m not sure that would be 100% of the reason, I’m just not sure how high a percentage it really is.
Comment by Regnad Kcin Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 9:11 pm
She was thrown under the bus by Rauner once too often. She worked hard on the compromise in good faith only to find Rauner never had any intention of making a compromise. She didn’t deserve that. I wish her the best.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 9:24 pm
Meanwhile, Rauner just retweeted on his government (@GovRauner) account a political send-off to Radogno from the IL Senate GOP (@ILSenateGOP).
Comment by Moist von Lipwig Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 9:35 pm
Leader Radogno is 65 years old. Hardly an early retiree. Wishing her many happy years in retirement after a great career in public service.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 9:43 pm
At Sen. Radgono’s age you look back on what you have accomplished and what you have not. You realize how much time you might have left and is this job worth it. Family suddenly becomes more important. Time for this battled scarred warrior to spend time with family and thoroughly spoil her grand kids rotten. Many happy moments with with the family and have a few icy cold ones on me. It’s all good from here on.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Thursday, Jun 29, 17 @ 10:56 pm
Who needs term limits when you have Rauner?
Comment by Glengarry Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 1:31 am
Good for Chris, a thoughtful and diligent public servant. I hope she enjoys every minute. She served all of us very well. Thank you, thank you, thank you. May she face only fair winds with following seas.
Comment by Chris Robling Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:19 am
Who was she most frustrated with? The Republicans or the Democrats. It took two sides to create this impasse.
Comment by I Live in Madigan's District Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:46 am
Good for her. Bad for us. I wish her the very best in her retirement years.
Comment by The Colossus of Roads Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 7:18 am
In all seriousness, I think I understand her choice. Speaking from personal experience, the loss of a child (regardless of the age) makes you rethink your priorities. I onow I retired as soon as I could. In her case, the current political situation and budget impasse may have just been the final straw. Hope she has lots of years to enjoy the grandkids.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:25 am
RE Brady … Is his proposed Capital Projects list part of his campaign for the leader’s seat?
Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:27 am
ILGOP’s base of political power ended in 2002. Since then they have repeatedly lost elections for statewide office. Since 2015, Rauner has made this split between Illinois and ILGOP a political benefit to himself, at the expense of ILGOP.
ILGOP leaders working across the ILGOP Illinois divide are being shoved out so that Rauner can continue to claim that he’s a victim of a conspiracy against change. That might look appealing to short-sighted partisans, but it obviously fails to form a government capable of implementing their desired changes.
Rauner is like a high school nerd working on a prom date, playing the pity card. He got the date, but revealed that he doesn’t dance.
Don’t feel sorry for Rauner. He’s no victim. He chose a long time ago that he won’t dance with anyone.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:42 am
I tried to post that quote from Bodie in The Wire where he realizes that the Barksdale Gang won’t stand by him after playing the game his whole life but there was too much cussing (which I starred out). SMDH.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:47 am
Praying for a wonderful retirement for leader Radogno spent with her family and loved ones. She’s always kept her word when I’ve interacted with her. I do feel badly that her grand bargain efforts were undermined by Governor Rauner; Rauner needs to own that. It wasn’t Madigan that tanked that one.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:59 am