THE ILLINOIZE: Budzinski says moderate Dems open to coalition with Republican speaker (but not Jim Jordan)...Last-minute attempt to save Invest in Kids...Fundraising disparity continues

October 17, 2023

Good morning, Illinois.

Campaign finance reports were due before midnight this morning and Rep. Aaron Ortiz (D-Chicago) cut it close. Ortiz filed his report at 11:59:31 P.M., with just 29 seconds to spare. His campaign usually files late, but as someone who has filed those things in the past, cutting it that close would put my blood pressure into imminent stroke territory.

I’ve had a few requests to bring back our campaign finance tracking spreadsheet that we did in the run-up to the 2022 election, so subscribers will get that tomorrow as well as a bigger breakdown of statewides and rank-and-file members.

The legislature returns for veto session a week from today and nobody really seems to know what’s going on. I even spoke to one very plugged in lobbyist yesterday who would know the plans for some of the biggest bills out there and that person just kind of shrugged their shoulders as if to say “I have no idea.” In fact, I may dig into that a little more today. Because the rank and file Democrats I’ve talked to lately don’t seem to know what’s happening either. And they can’t all be lying, right?

Right?

Governor Pritzker speaks at the Electrification Coalition’s Electric Vehicle Bootcamp and Showcase at the Merchandise Mart this morning.

Let me know what’s on your mind. Drop me a note anytime at patrick@theillinoize.com.

Let’s get to it.

BUDZINSKI: SOME DEMS WOULD VOTE FOR GOP SPEAKER ALTERNATIVE

Freshman Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) says she is among a group of fellow moderate Democrats who could potentially vote to install a Republican House Speaker, but it wouldn’t be current the current GOP nominee for the post, Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan.