'Quiet' lawmaker known for loud attire

SPRINGFIELD - As Randy Ramey walked across the floor of the Illinois House, a colleague shouted out that former Illini coach Lou Henson wanted his coat back.

From there the chiding intensified.

"I thought the giant pumpkin had come in on the House floor," snarked Danville Republican Bill Black.

"I just want to congratulate Rep. Ramey for breaking new barriers by bringing the first glow-in-the-dark blazer into the House of Representatives. I believe it also has an off and on switch on the bottom right pocket," said Western Springs Republican Jim Durkin.

And Democrats joined in, too.

"The director of DNR did just call and wanted me to remind you it's not hunting season yet," said Chicago state Rep. John Fritchey.

While Ramey, a Carol Stream Republican serving his third term in the Illinois General Assembly, is arguably one of the quieter lawmakers during House sessions, he's also known as one of the loudest - a reputation brought on by his vibrant red and orange blazers, both passed on to him by his stepfather, James "Pate" Philip, a Wood Dale Republican and former Illinois Senate President.

Atrocious attire is nothing new in the General Assembly. Lawmakers sport all kinds of garish ties and fashion accoutrements to show their support for sports teams and causes.

"I decided to kick it up a notch," Ramey said.

It all began a few years ago in advance of the Illini playing Michigan in basketball. For that day's House session, Ramey donned an orange blazer that looked like something only Henson or Bruce Weber could justify wearing in public. The jacket is actually one worn for the 1988 Republican National Convention. All Illinois delegates received the bright jackets to wear to the nomination sessions.

Anyway, the Illini lost to Michigan and Ramey's colleagues banned the orange jacket.

Enter his red jacket, which Ramey said symbolizes his support of the St. Louis Cardinals.

He began wearing that jacket for session as the Cardinals raced to the 2006 World Series title. Then, some of the legislative staff began donning red jackets and Ramey joined them in doing so as a cancer awareness fundraiser that managed to bring in more than $4,000.

Somehow, Ramey's not exactly sure, the red blazer has become a tradition for lawmakers presenting their first piece of legislation for a House floor vote. Tradition calls for the rookie lawmaker to be put through the ringer by colleagues. Now, they also have the distinction of wearing the bright red coat while suffering through the questioning.

Ramey said the jackets, including the orange one that recently re-emerged in the Illinois House, provide some needed levity at the Capitol and occasionally lower the partisan blinders.

"I'm not wearing them for attention but it's fun and it lightens things up a little bit. It gets people talking," he said.

And he has a fashion warning for fellow lawmakers.

"I picked up a green one," Ramey said.