Page 20 - January 2021

Speaker of the House up for grabs
The new legislature will be sworn in at noon on Jan. 13. The Democrats have retained a su- permajority in both the House and the Senate and will have a full but probably limited agenda for 2021.
For the first time since 1975, there is some drama as to who will be the speaker of the House in the 102nd General Assembly. In that contentious
’75 battle for speaker, a compromise candidate, Du
Page Democrat Bill Redmond, ended up winning
the role after more than 90 ballots were cast during
those early weeks of January. Beginning at noon on
Jan. 13, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has the con- stitutional authority to convene the House and preside over it until a speaker is elected. According to House rules, the House can conduct no other business until a speaker is elect- ed. That means it cannot hold a committee hearing or even introduce a bill until the speakership is decided. This could
be a long, drawn-out battle, or it could end quickly. As of this writing, no one knows. According to public statements from 19 House Democrats who say they will not vote to reelect Speaker Mike Madigan, that leaves him six votes short.
When the legislature does begin its business in 2021, among the issues to be addressed will be the state budget, COVID relief efforts and the Black Caucus agenda. We have been working with legislators and police organizations throughout the state to at- tempt to address these reform items. Our coalition includes the state FOP, sheriffs and police chiefs as we work together to add our expertise and experience
to this important discussion.
One new senator has been appointed. Cristina Paci- one-Zayas is representing the 20th District, on the near Northwest Side of Chicago. She replaces now–Cook County Clerk Iris Martinez, who was elected as the first Latina in that position.
DAVE SULLIVAN
20 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2021