Next month, the 38-member Illinois Democratic State Central Committee is expected to select a lieutenant governor candidate and the committee’s seven Black members have expressed concerns about House Speaker Michael Madigan’s interest in abolishing the of
Next month, the 38-member Illinois Democratic State Central Committee is expected to select a lieutenant governor candidate and the committee’s seven Black members have expressed concerns about House Speaker Michael Madigan’s interest in abolishing the office. The seven members said collectively Monday in a letter to Madigan that: “We believe that your roles as Chairman of the Democratic Party and as speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives to be separate. As party chairman, your role is the advancement of the interest of the Democratic Party of Illinois. As speaker, you of course can offer a Constitutional Amendment that would profoundly alter the state’s electoral and succession processes. However, advancing legislation that impacts the Democratic Party without a discussion or an endorsement from the Democratic Party leadership is premature. Therefore, prior to your public announcement about your support of the elimination of a constitutional offices, the Democratic State Central Committee should have been consulted.” The members are U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush, D-1st, Jesse Jackson Jr., D-2nd, and Danny K. Davis, D-7th, state Rep. Connie Howard, D-7th Dist., state Rep. Connie Howard, D-34th Dist., Ald. Carrie Austin, (34th), state Rep. Karen Yarbrough, D-7th Dist., and James Polk, a committeeman from downstate Peoria. While the coalition has not decided on a candidate, Davis said he is for state Rep. Art Turner, D-9th Dist., who finished second in the primary earlier this month. “I am in full support of Art Turner. He got the second most votes so he has proven he can win statewide and has 30 years legislative experience,” Davis told the Defender. “He would be an asset to the Democratic Party.” He added that he does not support Madigan’s plea to abolish the lieutenant governor position, which would make the attorney general the second highest state office. “If we have a Democratic governor who can no longer serve and the next in line is the attorney general, there is no guarantee that person would be Democrat. What if they are a Republican or from another party? Democrats would then be giving up a position of power.” Madigan’s daughter, Lisa, is currently the attorney general for the state. Additionally, Black committee members said Michael Madigan might be overstepping his boundaries as party chairman. “There should be no divergent interests between you in your role as party chairman and us in our role as party committeemen and committeewomen,” coalition members said in their letter. Madigan did not return Defender calls by press time. Madigan has suggested eliminating the office, which costs $2.5 million a year to operate, by 2015. The issue arose after Scott Cohen won the primary to represent the Democratic party on the November ballot for lieutenant governor, but was forced to resign amid revelation of his sordid past. But even if Madigan is successful at getting the proposal passed by the House and Senate it would still need to be approved by voters since it requires changing the state’s Constitution, said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. State Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-5th Dist. and Turner were the only two Black lieutenant governor candidates in the Feb. 2 primary, and were defeated by Cohen, a businessman. Cohen withdrew from the race after meeting with Madigan, who he said urged him to drop out after news of past domestic battery allegations against his ex-wife, non-payment of child support and threatening his then-girlfriend (who had been convicted of prostitution) with a knife surfaced. Turner said he is still interested in the office. “Gov. Pat Quinn heads an outstanding slate of accomplished legislators on the Democratic ticket. It continues to be my desire to join this exceptional group of individuals as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor,” Turner said. And Hendon is also interested in the office. “If I am selected by party leaders I would accept the challenge,” he said. The coalition has not decided whom it would support for lieutenant governor but said in the letter that it is looking for an “energetic” and highly skilled nominee. “We believe that, among the criteria, our party leadership should be publically (sic) advancing a vetting process that considers a candidate’s experience. … A candidate’s ability to raise resources as well as geographic, racial and gender balance should also be considered as the Central Committee fills this vacancy.” Under Illinois law, Cohen’s replacement must now be chosen by the Democratic Central Committee, which is scheduled to meet March 15. The lieutenant governor’s office has been vacant since January 2009 when Quinn was sworn in as the state’s 41st governor following the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
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