Could suburban 'lame ducks' play key role in reforms?
SPRINGFIELD — A number of suburban state lawmakers won't be facing election in the fall because of primary defeats Tuesday or retirements, possibly freeing them up to take controversial votes that might otherwise have been too politically risky.
“People will ask them to take the tougher vote here to protect other people in the fall,” said Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a Des Plaines Republican.
Mulligan, who did not appear on Tuesday's ballot but could be a write-in candidate, thinks lame ducks might be asked to help approve controversial proposals this year so that lawmakers facing tough campaigns won't have to.
Among the more controversial topics are reforms to the state's teacher and employee retirement plans, as well as changes to how Illinois pays for health care for the poor — issues that could cause backlash with voters back home for lawmakers of either party.
Unlike last year, when a handful of lame-duck Democratic lawmakers helped approve an income tax hike, most of the 2012 suburban lame ducks are Republicans.
Among Tuesday's fallen is Rep. Randy Ramey, a Carol Stream Republican who lost a bid for the Illinois Senate.
He disputed the idea that lawmakers will change their minds just because they don't face election.
“I won't flip-flop,” Ramey said. “You won't see me voting for crazy things that I never would have voted for before.”
State Rep. Kent Gaffney, a Lake Barrington Republican who's been serving for less than a year and lost his primary Tuesday, echoed Ramey.
“We still have a lot of things to do here, and not a lot of time to do it,” Gaffney said.
Despite this, many vow they will not change their ways.
“I'll work as hard as I ever have for the things I believe in,” Ramey said. “I'll just know I have a time constraint on me now.”
Among the other suburban lame ducks is state Rep. Chris Nybo, an Elmhurst Republican who lost his primary bid for Illinois Senate Tuesday. Having previously announced plans not to run for re-election are state Reps. Franco Coladipietro, a Bloomingdale Republican, and Karen May, a Highland Park Democrat.
In addition, State Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora won his primary for Kane County Board chairman Tuesday instead of bidding for re-election. Also not running this year are state Sens. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat; Tom Johnson, a West Chicago Republican; Jeff Schoenberg, an Evanston Democrat; and John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican. State Sen. Suzi Schmidt, a Lake Villa Republican, withdrew her re-election plans last year.
Some state lawmakers have said they are considering other avenues in politics, but others appear ready for a return to private life.
“My 4-year-old daughter woke up (Wednesday) morning and said she was happy because she got to spend more time with her father,” Nybo said. “It puts a real perspective on things.”