Illinois senators elect new president

Posted on January 20, 2020
Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) was elected Sunday as the new president of the Illinois State Senate. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois senators elected Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) to the presidency Sunday evening to succeed the retiring Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago).

The vote was 37-12 over the only other candidate placed on the floor for nomination, Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). As has been custom, Harmon and Brady voted for one another.

Harmon won a Senate Democratic caucus vote, held in private earlier Sunday, 22-17 over Sen. Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). Rather than continue caucus voting, the two struck a deal by which Lightford would remain majority leader. It takes thirty votes to win.

The legislature returns to session Jan. 28.

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