THE ILLINOIZE: Welch in race for Speaker, Hoffman "thinking about it"...Madigan "suspends" effort...Wednesday chaos likely?...Chapa LaVia resigns over LaSalle...
January 12, 2021
Good morning. We were up late with the Illinois House at the BoS Center in Springfield as House Democrats try to pass a gigantic racial equity agenda, fix the budget, make election improvements, and pick a Speaker all before noon Wednesday.
Buckle up campers, I’m bringing the Red Bull.
BREAKING: WELCH IN, HOFFMAN “THINKING ABOUT IT”
Three members of the House Black Caucus told us late last night that Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) was, indeed, the choice of the group to run for Speaker and has unanimous support among the 22 members of the group. Welch walked past media last night without making a comment.
Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) said he’s “thinking about” getting in the race, and said he would know more today.
Both men have become options after House Speaker Michael Madigan dropped a bomb yesterday morning, announcing he was “suspending” his campaign for re-election to the Speaker’s office, but wasn’t withdrawing from consideration.
House Democrats didn’t take any votes in their caucus yesterday, so today will be the first time they choose between four or, maybe, five candidates.
Welch will have the 22 votes of the House Black Caucus, which puts him ahead of Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), who had 18 Sunday, but lost Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford), who says he will support Welch.
Many of the original 19 anti-Madigan members are northside Chicago or suburban progressives, and its unclear how many of them Welch can bring along if he wants to. He’s close to Madigan as chair of the House Executive Committee, which is traditionally held by a trusted ally. Welch also chaired…and summarily shut down…the Special Investigative Committee formed to look into Madigan’s role in the ComEd bribery scandal.
Alaina Hampton, a former Madigan aide who sued after being sexually harassed by a Madigan confidant, tweeted last night Welch was “Madigan 2.0.” That sort of thing doesn’t particularly endear you to the do-gooders.
Here’s our story, with more quotes and details. Give it a click.
MADIGAN SUSPENSION REACT
We spoke to a bunch of House Democrats last night about their reactions to Madigan’s announcement.
Some believe Madigan sees the proverbial “writing on the wall.”
“It’s a recognition of the realities on the ground which is that there aren’t 60 votes for the Speaker to be re-elected as Speaker in the next General Assembly,” said Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago). “His statement is a response to the reality he saw in our caucus.”
Guzzardi opposes Madigan’s re-election.
“I guess he made a conscious decision about whether or not he felt he really could get to 60 votes,” said Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood), who supported Madigan’s efforts Sunday night.
Others think there may be something else behind Madigan’s movements.
“It [caught] everybody by surprise,” said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). “As we know, he plays three-dimensional chess, so we were trying to figure out what he was doing. If he feels that was best for the caucus, then kudos to him.”
Here’s our story with reaction.
WHAT IS MADIGAN THINKING?
If there’s a $65,000 question floating around Springfield right now, that’s the one.
There are seemingly two lines of thinking from folks we’re talking to:
Line of Thinking 1- The writing is on the wall. He knows he can’t get to 60, he’s damaged goods, and there’s no way he can get past the giant ethical cloud hanging over him. He’s looking for a graceful exit, and he’s “bowing out” to whoever can get to 60 without looking like he’s pulling strings.
Line of Thinking 2- This goes along with the siege mentality we discussed last week. Instead of fighting or trying to sway someone with jobs or campaign cash now, let the excited liberal do-gooder anti-Madigan swath fight it out for a while and see they won’t have anyone who can get to 60, either. Then he can either ride in as the white-haired knight or, more likely, start twisting the final few arms to get him over the finish line.
Do any of us know? Nope. Are we going to speculate until the cows come home?
You better believe it.
CHAPA LaVIA RESIGNS
Following the deaths of 36 veterans at the state-run LaSalle Veterans’ Home, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia resigned Monday.
It came after a committee hearing Monday morning after many lawmakers were critical of Chapa LaVia’s performance before the committee. One Democrat, Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove), called for her resignation after the hearing and shortly before the Governor’s office announced it.
Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) represents the LaSalle Home and has been critical of the state’s response. She issued a statement Monday night on Chapa LaVia’s resignation.
"Since the beginning of this fatal outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home on November 1, it's become apparent that the leadership within the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs has failed the residents it was tasked with protecting.
"The removal of Director Linda Chapa LaVia was an inevitable and necessary step in bringing accountability to one of the deadliest outbreaks at a state-run facility in Illinois history. While I can respect the former-director's decision to resign, I question why the decision to leave the department was left in her hands. The Governor should have removed the director from leadership long before today.
"There are still several unanswered questions about procedures and decisions related to the handling of this outbreak. The Governor, IDPH and IDVA have the responsibility to provide those answers to the people of Illinois and the families that have suffered from their inaction."
Illinois Air National Guard Major General Peter Nezamis will be Interim Director of IDVA.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Happy Birthday today to former State Representative Tom Homer. He served six terms in the House, was an Appellate Court Judge, and was the first Illinois Executive Inspector General from 2004-2014.
BEFORE WE GO
There are going to be a lot of moving parts happening in Springfield in the next 24-48 hours. We’ll do our best to keep you up to date on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Give us a like or a follow. We’ll send an e-mail blast out if something gigantic happens, but we’re not going to spam you.
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