* Herald & Review editorial …
The state legislative session at the Bank of Springfield Center opened Friday with unacceptable restrictions on media members. […]
The restrictions have nothing to do with security. They are pandemic-related in theory. But just as other professionals have been forced to adjust their work efforts to protect the safety of themselves and others, reporters have discovered social aloofness, wearing masks while conducting interviews, and regularly decontaminating used equipment.
Limited access also hindered coverage of May 2020 sessions, to the benefit of no one. In addition, the May sessions enabled outside interviews. Those interviews will be less available in the cold of January.
The ground floor of the Bank Of Springfield Center is 40,000 square feet, more than enough space for lawmakers and recognized media alike. Socially safe sitting is essentially already applied in the home. The media members’ letter also outlines how communications and reporters can do their jobs without danger or disruption.
When asked, the governor’s office could only issue IDPH guidelines issued last year for legislative committee hearings. The House has yet to disclose its source for session guidance. Another photo of the cavernous space …
Looks like there might be plenty of space … https://t.co/Bdn7VtpDak pic.twitter.com/1YKYXuRHJq
– Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) January 8, 2021
Plus, the security argument is just utterly ridiculous and absolutely insulting to recognized members of the news media. And to add insult to injury, reporters who must use the restroom must be escorted to and from the mezzanine by soldiers from the Illinois State Police.
Wouldn’t it be possible to leave them on the floor?
* When I take pictures like this from Eastern Bloc Reps. Chris Miller and Brad Halbrook on the convention center floor, I also wonder why the House Speaker is so concerned about us …
Reporters are not the problem here. (You can include that photo in comments if you like.)
… Add… Rep. Miller (no family) was just called to the floor for not wearing his mask.
* On to Mark Brown’s last column …
It has now been two months since it became clear that Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan would face the greatest challenge ever to his leadership, but there is no clear leader to replace him.
If Madigan does need to be replaced, that should begin to change as House members return to Springfield this weekend to wrap up the affairs of the outgoing legislature and organize for the new one.
The Democrats were to meet privately on Saturday for their first (masked) face-to-face discussion of who should lead them.
It’s hard to imagine they are making rapid progress.
Until Madigan is ready to step aside – there’s not even a hint of that at this stage – most of the leading potential alternatives will remain on the sidelines.
That last line is correct. Nothing really can happen unless and until Speaker Madigan decides to step aside.
* I filled in subscribers today about yesterday’s caucus, but Mark Maxwell has some more …
Undeterred by his opposition, Madigan methodically maneuvered through the process and continued to persuade his colleagues to support him. In a Friday night candidates forum hosted by downstate and moderate Democrats, Madigan offered to lessen his grip on political power if members let him remain in his role.
According to members who listened to Madigan’s pitch Friday night, he also provided them with more input and control when interviewing and hiring their own staff, and promised a more collaborative style of leadership.
Its challengers, Reps. Kifowit, Ann Williams (D-Chicago), and Kathleen Willis (D-Addison), offered a variety of changes to the house rules and the way members could send their bills through committees and outline their strategies to raise campaign funds in a way that benefits more members.
Willis, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, emphasized her experience on Madigan’s leadership team, although the Speaker noted that it pales in comparison to his own.
He has promised many things.
*** UPDATING *** I told subscribers about this earlier today …
Madigan opposes secret ballots in the election of the Illinois House speaker within the House Democratic caucus. A member asked about it at a private caucus meeting yesterday, and Madigan said he felt it should be an open vote, according to a source who heard the exchange.
– Dave McKinney (@davemckinney) January 9, 2021