WBGZ Radio 2/9/2021 |
By Mark Ellebracht - WBGZ Radio
Democrats in the 48
th District have selected a replacement for former Senator Andy Manar. Springfield alderwoman Doris Turner was chosen to fill the remainder of Manar’s term, which just began as he resigned just a few days after being sworn in to another term last month. Manar is now working for Governor JB Pritzker.
Turner was chosen unanimously on Saturday during a meeting of the 48
th Legislative District Committee from a field of eight finalists. Turner has been on the Springfield City Council since 2011 and before that served for 10 years on the Sangamon County Board. She is officially retired after working for the state of Illinois, including 22 years with the Illinois Department of Public Health. Turner was the first African American to chair the Sangamon County Democratic Party and the first African American to be elected to the executive board of the Illinois County Chairmen’s Association. She live
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“It is not surprising in Illinois that we have a process that keeps the decision in the hands of party leaders,” said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Springfield’s Public Affairs Reporting program. (Shutterstock)
Illinois is one of only a handful of states where political leaders pick replacements for state lawmakers should they leave their post. On one hand, it s saving taxpayers money on a special election that many other states conduct. On the other, it s become so common that residents are calling it an abuse of political clout.
Two Illinois state senators were replaced by appointment Saturday. Springfield Ald. Doris Turner replaced Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat who took a position with Gov. J.B. Pritzker s administration. On the same day, Michael Simmons, a former political aid to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and others, replaced Illinois Sen. Heather Steans, a northside Chicago Democrat who resigned five days after being re-e
Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 The Illinois Policy Institute has some House rule change ideas. I agree with some, disagree with others, partially agree on a couple. But, interestingly enough, there’s almost no mention of the Senate’s rules, which are nearly identical to the House’s except for term limits, and the new House rules would change that provision, too. Apparently, it’s fine that the Senate has this rule but it’s not nearly enough when it comes to the House…
Like the Senate, the Illinois House Rules should limit the term of the speaker to no more than five General Assemblies, so the state does not have to see generations pass without a change in leadership. There is cause for optimism on this front: term limits for legislative leaders is one reform that made it into the recently proposed House Rules resolution. It’s an important step, but all of the above reforms should be considered to truly ensure that the legislative process is fair.
Turner chosen to fill state Senate vacancy
Ron DeBrock Hearst Illinois
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Doris Turner of Springfield will complete the unexpired term of Andy Manar as senator for the state’s 48th Legislative District.Provided
A Springfield alderwoman has been chosen to succeed former state Sen. Andy Manar to represent the 48th Legislative District.
Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat, resigned from his state Senate seat to take a senior adviser’s post with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration.
A committee chosen to name his replacement met this weekend to discuss the post and voted unanimously to appoint Doris Turner of Springfield to fill the remainder of the term.