House Speaker's Attorney Out After Media Controversy
House Speaker Chris Welch. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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The chief lawyer for House Democrats is out, seemingly over last week’s 1st Amendment dust up with the Chicago Tribune and the statehouse press corps.
Multiple House Democrats confirmed the authenticity of the memo from House Speaker Chris Welch’s Chief of Staff, Tiffany Moy.
In it, Moy announces “personnel changes” and that yesterday was James Hartmann’s last day.
Kendra Piercy will assume the responsibilities of Chief Counsel.
It is believed Hartmann signed off on the controversial memo telling members not to speak to Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner, who was asking questions of members who gave money to the Welch-backed opponent of Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago).
Sources had told The Illinoize Welch knew nothing of the memo until the Chicago Tribune brought it to the attention of his staff.
Sources also said it's unlikely Welch’s spokesperson, Jaclyn Driscoll, played a role in distributing the memo.
Hartmann, who graduated from the Notre Dame College of Law, was named one of the Chicago Law Bulletin’s “40 Under 40” attorneys in 2023.
