llinois House Democrats try to choose a new speaker

Posted on January 13, 2021

 

House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-IL). (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD– A deal is apparently together to make State Rep. Chris Welch (pictured) (pictured) (D-Hillside) the next Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Welch, a close ally of House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), tallied fifty of the sixty votes necessary to win during a private vote Tuesday. State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) received fifteen. Seven voted Present, and Madigan did not vote. Reports suggest Welch now has enough votes.

The formal vote is during today’s 102nd General Assembly inauguration ceremony, which starts at noon at the Bank of Springfield Center.

Madigan has suspended his campaign for re-election as speaker. State Reps. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) and Ann Williams (D-Chicago) withdrew Tuesday.

After a long night – into early morning – of debating legislation, House Democrats are expected to caucus for the informal election first thing this morning.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…