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
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Heather Steans