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* UPDATED x1 * Sen. McConnaughay won’t seek reelection

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* This is a big surprise…

June 6, 2018
SENT VIA EMAIL
The Honorable Bill Brady
Illinois State Senate Minority Leader 309G Capitol Building
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Dear Leader Brady:

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that I have decided to not seek re-election this fall and will instead be pursuing other opportunities. Rest assured that as long as I remain a State Senator I will be doing my utmost to represent the taxpayers of the 33rd District and the State of Illinois—including continuing the work we’ve started in reforming this state’s ethics regulations.

Sincerely,
Karen McConnaughay

Sen. McConnaughay (R-St. Charles) was first elected in 2012. She is a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission and has fought this year to improve the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policies. She also unsuccessfully sought the minority leadership job after Christine Radogno announced she was resigning last summer.

Karen is good people. I’ll miss her.

*** UPDATE *** Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady…

Throughout her tenure in the Illinois Senate, Karen McConnaughay has been an outspoken advocate for the families of Illinois. Her leadership in helping raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, her support for our transportation infrastructure and her dedication to protecting the taxpayers of Illinois will leave a lasting legacy.

Most importantly, the work and leadership she demonstrated this past spring to bring about needed ethics’s reform will never be forgotten.

I have valued Karen’s insight as a member of Senate Republican Leadership and I have no doubt that she will be successful as she writes the next chapter in what’s already been an inspiring and successful career.

* Sen. Jason Barickman…

Karen is a great legislator who will be missed in our caucus and in the Illinois General Assembly. She’s played an important role on the Legislative Ethics Commission and by being a vocal proponent of much-needed sexual harassment and ethics reforms in our state. I’m glad that she will continue that work in her time left in the State Senate. She’s also been a leader on transportation issues since her first day in the legislature. On any given issue, Karen was effective because of her ability to build bridges with colleagues across the aisle. I wish her well.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:31 pm

Comments

Wow. She’s terrific. This isn’t good…except maybe for her.

Comment by Violet Seepage Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:36 pm
This is a really big loss to the Senate Republicans, and to Springfield generally. We need more like her.

Comment by charles in charge Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:40 pm
What charles said, at 2:40 p.m.

Comment by Linus Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:46 pm
Attention: Could all the good Republicans please come back to office? You are appreciated. We need you. Help.

Comment by State worker Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:49 pm
Sen. McConnaughay is a good person.

This is true.

Sen. McConnaughay aided and abetted Raunerism in the 99th General Assembly, and did not vote to override last year’s budget, to save Illinois from more destruction.

This is also true.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:52 pm
She’s on the ballot this fall. Her district was a virtual dead heat in the presidential election. It’s likely a GOP hold, but if a “blue wave” materializes, it’s another spot in the ‘burbs the Senate Repubs will have to play defense.

Comment by TNR Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:54 pm
Karen has always been amazing and this is a major loss for Springfield. I’m stunned.

Comment by Stunned Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:56 pm
Between her and Pam Althoff, half the female members of the Senate GOP caucus are leaving.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 2:58 pm
McQueary tweeting that if rumors are true, Karen’s “new opportunity” is “big.”

Comment by TNR Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 3:03 pm
===McQueary tweeting that if rumors are true, Karen’s “new opportunity” is “big.”===

Replacing Senger on the ticket?

This is snark. I know nothing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Willy, I was wondering the same thing.

Comment by TNR Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 3:07 pm
- TNR -

I’ll refresh @StatehouseChick’s twitter…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 3:09 pm
OW, let me know what Katrina, er, Kristen, is reporting, because, well, you know.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 3:16 pm
Nothing could be worse for someone smart, talented and capable, than to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. Karen is a perfect example.

Karen has battled pettiness, stupidity, political backstabbing, and most seriously, a serious personal health crisis while while continuing to work hard, forge strong relationships and bring real friendship to many.

Those who know her well will always be better for it. And they will also know full well why Illinois politics doesn’t deserve her.

Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 4:06 pm
For someone as “new” in Springfield, she made an impact and I think was widely respected.

We are losing a thoughtful legislator. She will be missed.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 7:57 pm
Maybe she will replace Slip n Sue as Lt Gov.

Comment by ILGOV2016 Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 8:23 pm
Allen Skillicorn would be the best choice. He represents half the district already and he defeated Nancy Zettler, the Democrat Senate nominee in 2016 by 7000 votes in a Presidential year.

Comment by Jon Zahm Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:13 pm
It would be both ironic and perhaps even humorous if Chris Lauzen (CPA) gets the slate.

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 9:00 am
Senator Brady demonstrated amazing graciousness in his remarks.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 9:02 am