From State Rep. Steve Reick:
The 104th General Assembly Convenes, Once More Unto the Breach!
Welcome to the first issue of my weekly newsletter, the Reick Report, for the 104th General Assembly.
Over the coming session I hope to keep you informed about the workings of the Illinois General Assembly and how it affects you because after all, it’s your money.
My goal is to keep you informed and not clog up your inbox with hysterical headlines, but to bring you clear, in-depth, legislative updates and generally avoid the click-bait style “news” that you find on social media.
I’ve long said that more of what government does that affects your life happens in Springfield than in Washington, and this year will be no different. In the Reick Report, you can expect insights into:
- Our broken pension system and my proposals to fix them for workers and taxpayers.
- The work we must do to protect children within the child welfare system.
- Holding the line on spending your tax dollars.
- Local events, causes and goings-on here in McHenry County.
Communication is a two-way street, and your feedback on the issues we discuss in the Reick Report shapes the work I do on your behalf. I encourage you to let me know your thoughts, questions, or concerns.
Thank you for your trust and for the opportunity to serve you. I look forward to staying connected and sharing more updates soon.
The Least Boring Seconding Speech of a House Speaker
The Inauguration ceremony for the 104th General Assembly was held on January 8th. The ceremony is a very scripted affair, with nominating and seconding speeches generally being formal and unremarkable, and usually take a conciliatory tone, offering compromise and cooperation to the other side.
I was selected to offer a speech to second the nomination of House Minority Leader Tony McCombie for Speaker and, having sat through four such ceremonies where the extended hand of compromise was drawn back as a bloody stump, I chose to take a different tack.
I took the opportunity to point out the autocratic nature of the Governor and the majority party and pointed out that the choice before us was more than perfunctory, it was an opportunity to reject the status quo and move toward a new path of reform.
The reaction was mixed and vocal, as you can see if you’ve got about 6 minutes and want to watch the speech here.
