Illinois becomes haven for Democrats on the run

Illinois, known for its wayward politicians and back-door political dealings, is in the odd position of having become the Switzerland on the Prairie as lawmakers fleeing votes in Wisconsin and Indiana take refuge in its borders.

If Illinois didn't invent political dysfunction, it's made a career of perfecting it. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell a vacant U.S. Senate seat; imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan, convicted of turning his government offices into little more than divisions of his fundraising machine; and the patronage hiring and backroom dealings of the once-mighty Chicago political machine are just a few entries on the state's resume.

And now with bands of Democratic legislators streaming over Illinois' borders to avoid votes on anti-union bills and other measures supported by Republicans, some residents wonder why they had to bring their problems here. Others say it might do the state's political image a rare bit of good.

"It makes us look, for once, a little less crazy than our neighbors politically," said Chris Mooney a political science professor with the University of Illinois-Springfield and the Institute for Government and Public Affairs. "We seem like more normal politics, and that's not always the case."

Mooney's comments were featured in a February 25, 2011, article by the Associated Press.

Download a PDF of the article

Census set to show Illinois losing one U.S. House seat

With the expectation that Illinois will lose one of its congressional seats, the state's politicians are poised to begin their once-a-decade finagling over drawing the state's political boundaries based on new census data.

On Tuesday, Census Bureau officials plan to release initial population estimates for the nation. A continuing population shift from the north to the south and west means Illinois is likely to lose one of its 19 seats in the House, and the clout that goes with it.

So-called redistricting is a tedious and politically charged process that protects strongholds, affects influence in Washington and makes or breaks political careers. The task over the next few months is analyzing population data while considering geography, race and political interests so legislators can re-divide the state's population into nearly equal pockets.

"Redistricting is the most political activity that occurs in a decade," said Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the University of Illinois in Springfield. "It's almost purely about who gets what and who wins what seat."

Mooney's comments were featured in a December 21, 2010, Associated Press article.

Download a PDF of the article

Brady concedes, Quinn claims mandate

Gov. Pat Quinn’s quest to become the elected leader of Illinois was fulfilled Friday when his Republican challenger conceded the state’s closest governor’s race in decades, leaving Quinn to argue he has a mandate to push a tax increase in the face of one of the nation’s worst state budget problems.

It will be up to Quinn to persuade lawmakers that his election provides him with more political leverage, considering the closeness of the race, said Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Quinn disagrees.

“I’ve said all along we need revenue for education, in particular, in Illinois, and by winning the election I think that is support for us to do exactly that,” he has said.

Mooney's comments were featured in a November 6, 2010, article by the Associated Press.

Download a PDF of the article

Kirk ready for first vote against Obama

Mark Kirk has vowed to be in the vanguard of a Republican bulwark against President Barack Obama's spending and tax plans. At the same time, Illinois' newly elected senator says he will be a model of conciliation and compromise in an era of sharp partisan divide.

Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois, said the generally moderate politics of Illinois dictate that Kirk regain his pragmatic streak if he hopes to stick in the Senate.

"He will do whatever it takes to be elected from the state of Illinois. That's not an easy task for a Republican in this state," Mooney said. "I do not expect Mark Kirk to veer to the right."

Mooney predicted Kirk will not always be a sure party line vote for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. "On average, Kirk will vote Republican because he is a Republican," Mooney said. "On the tough votes, however, I think he'll be up for grabs."

Mooney's comments were featured in a November 4, 2010, article in the Chicago Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article

While GOP gains nationally, Illinois remains split

Even in the face of a massive Republican national wave, the state of Illinois remains split between the major parties.

Republican Mark Kirk’s capture of President Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat is a feather in the GOP’s cap nationally, but Kirk’s victory also reflected the flaws in the Democratic candidate, state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

Republicans made gains in the Illinois General Assembly, but both chambers remain in Democratic hands.

But Tuesday’s race for the office that has the most day-to-day impact on the lives of Illinoisans – the governor – remained neck-and-neck late Tuesday.

No matter who emerges victorious, says a political scientist from the University of Illinois Springfield, he won’t have an easy job.

“Whatever happens, there’s bad times ahead,” said Chris Mooney of the U of I’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

Mooney's comments were featured in a November 3, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article

Lieutenant governor candidates insist they're ready to lead state

Both Carbondale Democrat Sheila Simon and Edwardsville Republican Jason Plummer insist they’re ready to step in and lead the state, including managing the biggest budget crisis in Illinois history.

The state constitution doesn’t provide for filling a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office, which is why no one has replaced Gov. Pat Quinn. Some critics call for eliminating the post and letting another official, like the attorney general, take over if there’s a vacancy in the governor’s office.

“The governor is an exceptionally important position in the United States these days,” said Chris Mooney, political science professor at the University of Illinois Springfield. “Far less damage can be done by a senator or a congressman than by a governor.”

Mooney's comments were featured in a October 5, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article