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* From a memo just sent out by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin…
Following the conclusion of the spring and early summer legislative session, I decided that it would be in the best interest of the Republican Caucus to go in a new direction with the position of our Floor Leader. This afternoon, I asked Representative Andersson to step down from the position. He agreed, stating he also believed it would be in the best interest of the caucus. I hope to make an announcement on a new Floor Leader in the coming weeks.
Andersson, of course, was one of the House Republicans who voted for the tax hike/budget bills and in favor of overriding the governor’s vetoes. He was also “whipping” HGOP votes in favor of both sets of roll calls.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 10, 17 @ 6:21 pm
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Yeah but you should see his cool new desk clock. /s
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:41 am
Congratulations to Leader Jim Durkin and the Illinois House Republican Caucus for making this move, as called for by me and a groundswell of conservative organizations and leaders. When you are a “Floor Leader” you are supposed to be whipping votes FOR the majority caucus/party position, not AGAINST it.
Comment by Jon Zahm Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:47 am
@Jon Zahm, I assume you mean the Raunerite party, because letting directional schools close isn’t part of any Republican platform that I know of.
Comment by Illinois O'Malley Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:53 am
Hopefully Steve will survive re-election. He’s a thoughtful Leader.
Comment by Kane Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:54 am
Relegated to the back benches for what little is left of his legislative career. Whether or not he thought he did the right thing his constituents have the ultimate say so.
Comment by Adam Smith Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:09 am
Jon. There comes a time for any person, politician or Joe Civilian, to not always be guided by drawstrings of someone else or some bigger force. Not one sane person can say holding the state budget hostage for any longer was going to accomplish anything productive.
It is time to move on from this and learn from the many errors in strategy made by both parties. It is over.
Comment by New Slang Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:09 am
In other words, independent thinking will not be tolerated.
Comment by Tough Guy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:13 am
===Congratulations to Leader Jim Durkin and the Illinois House Republican Caucus for making this move…===
“… I wanted the continued destruction of Illinois, because hurting people and not paying paying bills or honoring contracts is what being a conservative is all about”
Ugh.
To the Post,
I don’t blame Durkin. Caucus discipline all but demanded the move, but Andersson did what he felt (abd I agreed) what was right for Illinois. But, there are consequences for doing the right thing to save Illinois.
The move now is the purposeful shifting of no more GOP but just Raunerites and “Non-Raunerites” and it’s getting close to that dynamic now as a true factor in the ILGOP seen as its core.
Yep. It had to be done, but, I’m also adding in the caucus discipline, right or wrong, if the Caucuses were autonomous, this type of uprising wouldn’t have happened and Rauner would’ve had help these past two years to find 60 and 30.
Durkin has let the Executive be that “stranger in their house” and that’s never good and that’s what this is about too.
There’s nothing “great” going on here if you believe in governing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:13 am
Wonder how much longer Durkin is going to stay. The “Fall of the House Republicans” is now on his watch. Can’t imagine Rauner is just going to let that go.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:29 am
This shouldn’t have been necessary. Instead, Andersson should have relinquished his duties as Floor Leader months ago. He absolutely has the right to vote as he wishes, but tacitly assisting the Democratic majority for months and then explicitly doing so with the tax hike was beyond the pale for his position as the designated person supposedly speaking for the Minority Republican Caucus and Leader Durkin.
Now he can truly do as he wishes only constrained by his conscience. His district will soon speak to his actions, however. #Toast
Comment by Deft Wing Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:30 am
Because compromise is such a dirty word….
Comment by Under Influenced Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:38 am
In fairness to Andersson, he was only working to pass the tax hike the Governor said he wanted, before he was against it….
Comment by ILPundit Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:43 am
Jon Zahm: “…as called for by me…” Sorry to bust your bubble, dude, but I head never heard of you, so why should your opinion have anything to do with Durkin’s decision?
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:48 am
The Kass column on Andersson and the other GOP lawmakers who bucked Rauner is the most despicable thing I’ve ever seen in a major newspaper. I wish I could be shocked that they went there.
He likened them to murdering, treasonous, Nazi-collaborator war criminals and mocked their concern of death threats. As if there ain’t enough crazy out there these days, the World’s Greatest Newspaper threw gas on the fire.
Like the man said, no self-respecting fish would be wrapped in that ignorant, reactionary rag.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:49 am
“A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse.”
Bruce Rauner as Richard the Third. A Shakespearean adaptation of the Illinois Budget Impasse. s/
Comment by Saluki Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:50 am
downstate commissioner- If it’s the same Jon Zahm, he considers himself a “Goliath Slayer”. Just Google those terms and his name. I will not promote his business by tiny urling.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:53 am
How long before Rauner fires Durkin as House Leader? This all happened on Durkin’s watch. I think Durkin just bought himself a few more months is all.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:54 am
And Willy summed it up nicely: “Ugh”
Comment by downstated commissioner Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:54 am
Its always reassuring to know that doing’whats right for Illinois’ means raising taxes on the working class. Its what Illinois always does. Now I understand the term ‘do the doable’.
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:54 am
Durkin’s action doesn’t change the fact that Andersson has shown more leadership for the State of Illinois than any of the remaining caucus hierarchy (can’t call them leaders).
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:55 am
Anon 221 Thank you. Doubt if I do, because he is obviously not on the same page as me politically…
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:57 am
Anderson should feel completely free to vote how he wants, but you can’t vote against your Leader and expect to be a part of the leadership team.
Let’s ask ourselves what would happen if the same had happened with a member of the Speakers leadership team.
Comment by Not It Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:59 am
===…but tacitly assisting the Democratic majority for months and then explicitly doing so with the tax hike was beyond the pale for his position as the designated person supposedly speaking for the Minority Republican Caucus and Leader Durkin.===
This ONLY makes sense if Durkin had a plan/budget that didn’t require a tax increase, something Rauner’s own budget required.
You ignorance, or plain ignoring the truth of that, is just an angry partisan rant, not a “thoughtful” analysis based in the truth of the situation.
===His district will soon speak to his actions, however.===
Speaks volumes that a sitting governor is willing to primary double-digit members of his own party for something that governor needed… a budget with the needed revenue
if they get primaried for not the continuing of the state’s destruction, and you cheer that… whew… that’s some warped thinking.
“They didn’t want the destruction to continue. They voted for a budget and its revenue. Get rid of them”
“Deaf”, or blind to the realities of honest governing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:03 am
Durkin will stay as GOP leader because the GOP leader needs to be acceptable to the public as the next Speaker, and Durkin fits that bill better than anyone else in the Caucus.
Comment by Fax Machine Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:04 am
Coupled with the appointment yesterday of Rasmussen as Rauner’s new COS, Republicans are going in a very dark direction. I thank Steve Andersson for doing what was best for the state at this moment in time. I am sure he understood it would come at a price, but he was willing to do it nonetheless. That is what it means to be a “statesman.” Putting the good of the state over your own interests.
Comment by NoNews Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:06 am
While the state may have temporarily avoided destruction, the working class destruxtion continues. Please.
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:09 am
Fax Machine- It’s going to depend if that Caucus is a Republican Caucus or a Raunerite Caucus. Can Durkin continue to allow leverage and destruction rule? The school funding fight, and fight it will be, will be his next huge test. Does Durkin hope he can outlast Rauner, especially if Rauner loses next year, or will he see himself “primaried” by the new order in the Executive office?
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:10 am
Fax: Say what?
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:10 am
My guess is Andersson knew he would be ousted. Durkin would look weak (weaker) if he didn’t toss him. That’s politics.
However, Andersson represents the dying breed of moderate Republicans that exhibit compassion and fiscal integrity. If we had 118 of him the State would be in good shape.
Comment by not again Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:11 am
Anon 221 I took your advice and googled “Jon Zahm”. Man, some interesting stuff. Not sure how he is allowed in the Republican Party.
Comment by Suburban Hillbilly Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:12 am
hisgirlfriday is on it: Now, Rauner is the one choosing floor leaders and caucus leaders (see: Senate GOP). He’s personally running 1.5 branches of government. Leader Durkin, if you feel paranoid, you’re not: Sooner or later, you’re next.
Comment by Linus Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:13 am
Hold on a minute.
Once again I will bring up the dynamic of internal caucus politics. Do the Illinois Dems care what the ILGOP thinks about Speaker Madigan? No. Then why should Leader Durkin care about what the Illinois Dems or Cap Fax commenters think of Steve Andersson’s dismissal? And, to be clear, this is not just about the vote. Rep. Andersson went beyond his leadership role and whipped votes. What would Speaker Madigan or President Cullerton do if one of their leadership members lobbied on behalf of a bill that was AGAINST the caucus position? This is not a McCann pro-arbitration breakaway vote. Andersson actually did everything to recruit other members and he used his position to do so.
Good grief.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:21 am
Whatever. Floor Leader is the choice of Durkin. Andersson was pretty weak at it.
Comment by Lance Mannion Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:21 am
Suburban Hillbilly- He seems to like to drink “Tea” that’s for sure.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:22 am
Now that the budget is settled can’t wait to see all of the bipartisan work on the reforms that will get passed into law.
The majority of Illinois residents don’t believe a tax increase is all that is needed to fix Illinois. The fact that there is no property tax reform or workers comp will further hurt Illinois’s employers and the middle class workers they employ.
Oh wait, none of the reforms will get passed. They were just part of a personal agenda.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:24 am
- Curl of the Burl -
Then…
Durkin wanted the continued destruction of Illinois, based on an agenda, an agenda mathematically unpassable.
I don’t fault Durkin for making the move. Nope. Not one bit.
What is at fault, and I back the “Brave 15″ and finally “The Perfect 10″ is that saving the state was far more important that appeasing Bruce Rauner.
For that, I’m grateful and won’t forget it.
For that, those defying Rauner face additional punishment beyond the Raunerites calling for their defeat.
Durkin can be right in doing this move.
Durkin can be wrong, as is Rauner, for demanding that a Caucus stick together to continue a wanted destruction.
In being wrong, Andersson was also fighting for right.
That’s how warped… Raunerism is.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:27 am
== Then why should Leader Durkin care about what the Illinois Dems or Cap Fax commenters think of Steve Andersson’s dismissal? ==
He doesn’t. Durkin cares about his caucus’ feelings–and even more than that, he has to care about the Governor’s feelings, because it’s the latter that’s carrying the most weight.
Durkin’s entirely within his rights to dismiss Andersson from this position, no argument. But let’s not pretend this isn’t about appeasing Rauner, first and foremost.
It might’ve been coincidence this move was made the same day the IPI president found a new gig at the administration. But I’m thinking not.
Comment by Linus Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:30 am
So how much does this move cost Andersson per year? $10k, $15k, $20k? How much of a stipend is he missing out on, and does he have a ranking membership on a committee to soften the blow?
Comment by Fax Machine Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:31 am
Curl,
“Do the the Illinois Dems care what the ILGOP thinks about Speaker Madigan?” No. But let me note that that has not stopped them from offering opinions, occasionally.
Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:36 am
First Christine, now Steve. This is what comes from “Working together on a Grand Bargain”.
I can’t wait to see what Bruce proposes in his February 2018 (air quotes) budget (air quotes).
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:41 am
I agree with what Wordslinger said in the previous post, Rauner needed the tax increase. To that end, Andersson was probably simply following orders to whip the needed Republican votes. It was then required that he fall on the sword to help Rauner worm his way out of wearing the jacket.
Comment by Cornerfield Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:45 am
=== Durkin’s action doesn’t change the fact that Andersson has shown more leadership for the State of Illinois than any of the remaining caucus hierarchy (can’t call them leaders). ===
Slow down there, turbo… Hays, Hammond, Mitchell and Unes are also in HR leadership, and all voted for the whole package and the override. And if you count Reis, who was for it before he was against it in the override, that’s fully half of HR leadership voting for this.
I get defending Andersson, which is entirely the right thing to do, but you downplayed what those others did in doing so.
Comment by NoUseForAName Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:48 am
Well, at least the ILGOP is consistently self-destructive.
If they thought scorched earth was the right thing to do, then thank heavens for Anderson and the other GOPers who voted against it.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:52 am
Boy am I old school. I don’t have a problem with Rep. Andersson’s vote. But his failure to resign his position long before he took it was treacherous.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:52 am
Rauner sure ain’t acting like a guy who “won” the budget crisis.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:01 am
I’ve got to say, the inside baseball of whether he should have voted his conscience and under what circumstances, or whether he should have resigned as floor leader first, is pretty arcane to the public. The man did the right thing and brought people with him. Good on him. I refer you to previous commenters as to why he was whipping and under whose orders at the time.
Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:12 am
For all of you who continually posted to pass a budget and then work on the other items, let’s see how successful that strategy will be.
Negotiations 101 says this strategy rarely works.
Comment by Piece of Work Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:12 am
“Now that the budget is settled can’t wait to see all of the bipartisan work on the reforms that will get passed into law.” Pierre - looking forward to you keeping your commitment to monetize the reform items. Looking forward to seeing how many jobs term limits will create.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:14 am
I’ve said it before on this website and I’ll say it again here… Gov. Rauner is everything he accuses Speaker of being.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:15 am
NoUseForAName, point well made. My apologies to Hays, Hammond, Mitchell and Unes.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:16 am
Oh come on, at least he wasn’t having Skype sex with a young Filipino woman like his predecessor. At least the House GOP was showing some progress.
Comment by GOPgal Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:51 am
I thought the Zahm comments were some of the funniest I have read on this blog. To the post, Durkin had to do this because of the failures of the R’s leading to the veto overrides. As to whether Andersson wins again, heck I’ll go walk for him. What he did took some cojones.
Comment by Mongo Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:53 am
===like his predecessor===
Different guy.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:56 am
What’s frightening about this is that Durkin appeared to be working toward a compromise budget, with the agreed 4.95 tax rate, up until about 5 days before the vote. And he would have delivered sufficient Republican votes. Then Rauner emerged with a “no way” and put his foot on Durkin’s sausage machine. He did to Durkin what he did to Radogno. Durkin won’t be forced out except by his own personal reaction.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 11:00 am
=== “For all of you who continually posted to pass a budget and then work on the other items, let’s see how successful that strategy will be.
Negotiations 101 says this strategy rarely works.”===
The reason it doesn’t work is that ideology in and of itself cannot stand on its own merits.
Reforms with unverifiable ROI’s have no chance of being implemented in anything other than a “Let’s Make a Deal” atmosphere. Reforms with a proven track record in other states or that can be verified as effective by some other means, will stand on their own merit for consideration.
The shifting menu of “reforms” presented over the last 2.5 years, if adopted, do not have ROI’s that could ever recoup the fiscal damage caused by racking up $15 billion in backlogged bills and devastating social services.
Comment by Markus Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 11:04 am
@Fax Machine - What makes Jim Durkin so much more publicly acceptable as a Speaker candidate than the rest of the caucus?
Who other than politics junkies like us even know who he is? He’s still that guy who’s one letter away from being Dick Durbin for the vast majority of Illinoisans.
He’s 100% expendable to Rauner and the Raunerites.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 12:48 pm
This is the best news I’ve heard. Everyone knows what she’s all about.
No more political speak. If the sides are as far apart as we think, have an HONEST conversation. Lay the cards out on the table. No more hiding behind “grand bargains”, IPI, posturing, etc.
Comment by Slim Pickens Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 12:53 pm
When Ken Dunkin took a walk on Madigan and the Democrats, there were plenty of calls to have him ousted from the caucus. Madigan didn’t act rashly, knowing he might still need Dunkin’s vote on some other issue. Madigan took action at election time, and backed Dunkin’s challenger.
It’s almost as if Rauner doesn’t want to accomplish anything. He has just told the 10 HGOPs who supported the override that they are no longer welcome in his party, giving Durkin only 37 votes while, one some issues, Madigan can cobble together a bi-partisan veto-proof majority.
Team Rauner thinks they can create their own reality and change the rules of the game like they are some start-up tech company disrupting an old business model. Sooner or later he’s going to realize that 71 and 36 are the only numbers that matter. Until he does, he won’t accomplish anything positive for Illinois.
The real question is, how much damage he can do in the next 18 months?
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 1:22 pm
Thank you OW as always. What else needs to be said?
==
From OW:
Durkin wanted the continued destruction of Illinois, based on an agenda, an agenda mathematically unpassable.
I don’t fault Durkin for making the move. Nope. Not one bit.
What is at fault, and I back the “Brave 15″ and finally “The Perfect 10″ is that saving the state was far more important that appeasing Bruce Rauner.
For that, I’m grateful and won’t forget it.
For that, those defying Rauner face additional punishment beyond the Raunerites calling for their defeat.
Durkin can be right in doing this move.
Durkin can be wrong, as is Rauner, for demanding that a Caucus stick together to continue a wanted destruction.
In being wrong, Andersson was also fighting for right.
That’s how warped… Raunerism is.
Comment by State worker Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 2:52 pm
Sorry to have to repeat: Andersson was lobbying and gathering votes for Durkin, not against him, to set up a deliverable budget agreement with a required structured roll call. Then Rauner killed the deal at the last minute, Durkin had to switch gears, and Andersson voted his conscience. It was the speech and the vote, not other activities, that cost him.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:19 pm
Your point is well taken Walk, but I think his freelancing was a bit more expansive than what you’re describing.
His resignation: cause and effect. Simple as that.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:36 pm
Rep Andersson speaking to Leader Durkin.
Comment by ILGOV2018 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:17 pm
“Leader Durkin, can you get me off the hook. For old times’ sake?”, Leader Durkin replies ”Naaah. Can’t do it, Steve.”
Comment by ILGOV2018 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:19 pm
I’m in his district and I am proud of him doing the right thing
Comment by Jbee Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:41 pm
I’m a registered republican and a retired state employee I applaud Rep. Anderson for doing the right thing. Rauner continues to be in denial regarding how our state government actually works.
Comment by tunes Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:59 pm