Aaron DeGroot laments Democrats in Springfield are far from being in the minority in at least one way.
“Illinois House Democrats are the only legislative caucus to not have leadership term limits,” DeGroot, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party, noted in a Jan. 31 press release. “At least 31 House Dems, including three members of Speaker Madigan's leadership team, have stated they support or are open to some form of leadership term limits.”
DeGroot argues that public support, not to mention the votes in Springfield, is there for such legislation, even if it takes a change to the state constitution to make it happen.
Aaron DeGroot
“There is a bipartisan supermajority that supports leadership term limits,” he added in the release. “The votes are there to pass a constitutional amendment referendum in both chambers. It’s time for the General Assembly to finally act on this critical issue and take one step towards restoring the people’s control over state government.”
DeGroot ticks off the names of Illinois Senate Democrats and Republicans, and Illinois House Republicans, in legislative caucuses that have moved to enact term limits. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated he supports such legislation.
“That leaves the Illinois House Democrats as the only legislative caucus without some form of leadership term limits,” he added. “The House Democratic Caucus has been led by Speaker Michael Madigan for decades, 18 terms as Speaker of the House and several more terms as minority leader, but that doesn’t mean House Democrats are opposed to leadership term limits.”
According to the release, among the veteran Democratic lawmakers who have publicly come out in favor of such guidelines are state Reps. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora), Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park), Jerry Costello II (D-Smithtown), Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates), Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego), Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines), Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg), Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) and Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake).
In addition to Pritzker now residing in the Governor's Mansion, Democrats hold overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the legislature.
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