Democrats Take First Caucus Vote for Speaker, Madigan Loses Ground
House Speaker Michael Madigan still has a majority of House Democrats on his side, but his opponents say he has no path to the 60 votes he needs to retain the Speaker’s gavel.
House Democrats are on the record.
51 support House Speaker Michael Madigan for another term. 22 support someone else.
The rest, it appears, may be a stalemate.
Democrats asked numerous questions of the four (now three) candidates for Speaker of the House in hours of private caucus meetings this weekend, some interactions between members reportedly getting heated. Before the caucus took a vote Sunday night, we learned through sources Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) dropped her challenge to Madigan, endorsing Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago).
After one round of voting, Williams led the challengers with 18 votes, still far short of Madigan’s 51, and Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) had 3 votes. One Democrat, Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), voted “present.”
“I just don’t think we’re there yet,” said Cassidy.
She pointed out the original group of 19 anti-Madigan votes grew to 22 Sunday night. Incoming Reps. Suzanne Ness and Denyse Wang Stoneback reportedly sided with Williams while Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) supported Kifowit.
Cassidy said it is clear Madigan has no path to a majority.
“Who can’t get to 60 is the Speaker,” Cassidy said. “If you can look through the list and find nine people who will switch, I don’t see that.”
Williams told us she felt “good” following the vote, and issued a statement saying she saw the tally as a sign of strength for those opposing the incumbent Speaker..
“Today’s vote makes clear the House Democratic Caucus is ready for a change in leadership,” she said. “I am grateful for the support of so many of my colleagues and will continue to work to earn the support of the rest and unify the caucus.”
Via text Sunday night, Kifowit said she wasn’t sure what Democrat could get to 60 votes, but she isn’t giving up.
“I’m still in,” she wrote.
It isn’t clear if Democrats will take another vote in caucus Monday or how they plan to resolve the deadlock before the new General Assembly is sworn in Wednesday at noon.
If there isn’t a united front by Wednesday, the chamber could be stalled for days or weeks by a protracted leadership fight. Some Democrats have told The Illinoize privately they feel like Speaker Madigan may attempt to drag out the fight as long as possible.
