November 21, 2008

Dear neighbors,

As editorialized in the Sun-Times today, it’s “a new day for Springfield”.  Wednesday night the Senate Democratic Caucus selected our new leader – Senator John Cullerton – to replace the retiring Senate President, Emil Jones.  Senator Cullerton will not officially be elected Senate President until January when the full Senate body votes, but this is a formality since the Senate Democrats hold a majority of the Senate seats (37 of 59 State Senators are Democrats).
 
I am thrilled with our election of Senator Cullerton, and worked diligently to help him.  He was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1979 and moved to the Senate in 1991.  He is the legislator who regularly gets the most bills passed each session, and is highly regarded for his intelligence, creativity and work ethic.  Senator Cullerton’s integrity was also clearly evident throughout the process of running for Senate President.  The district Senator Cullerton represents is just south and west of the 7th district (which I represent), so while he now represents the entire state he will clearly understand our needs here.
 
Our President-elect has a tough job.  Given what is happening to our economy, the state’s fiscal condition is quickly deteriorating.  We have not been able to pass a capital plan, which the State badly needs.  Our schools are not preparing all of our kids for the global economy and are inadequately funded.  And we have clearly had a dysfunctional leadership situation where the Governor, Senate President Emil Jones, and House Speaker Michael Madigan have been involved in personal politics rather than working together to address the State’s serious challenges. 
 
I believe Senator Cullerton is best suited to break through the Springfield gridlock and focus on solving our problems.  He worked closely with Speaker Madigan while serving in the House and lives just a few blocks from Governor Blagojevich.  His first priority is to improve the working relationship between the legislature and Governor.  He has also committed to reforming the Senate rules to ensure greater small “d” democracy in Senate operations.  Reforms that empower all members will simultaneously bring more perspectives into the legislative process and encourage sensible compromise to move issues forward.
 
The same night the Senate Democrats elected Senator Cullerton as our new leader, the Senate Republicans elected Senator Christine Radogno to be their new leader (Minority Leader Frank Watson retired after suffering from a stroke).   Senator Radogno, a moderate Republican, is the first woman elected to be a leader in either the Senate or House, and she is thoughtful, highly ethical legislator.
 
Next week I will provide more of a legislative update from Springfield as well.

Click here to read the Sun Times editorial on the election of Senator John Cullerton as Senate President and here to read the Tribune editorial.

Best,

Heather A. Steans
State Senator