Tuesday's election results represented what one GOP strategist late Tuesday soberly called "a bloodbath for Illinois Republicans" at the Statehouse.
With the defeat of four House Republican incumbents and a net gain of seven seats, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) secured a 71-47 veto-proof majority in the Illinois House.
The results were similar -- and more historic -- in the Senate for Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), who picked up a net gain of five seats, giving him a 40-19 veto-proof majority.
Those stunning gains also figure to weaken Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who no longer will have the capability of singlehandedly blocking legislation with his veto pen.
"The map the Democrats drew performed as they designed," said Patty Schuh, a spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont).
The effect of the Democratic-friendly legislative maps coupled with President Barack Obama's huge numbers mean DuPage County will be represented by a Democrat in the state Senate for the first time in Illinois history.
That person is Villa Park Village President Tom Cullerton, who also happens to be a third cousin of the Senate president.
The other historic footnote from Tuesday's election is that no party has ever had a 40-vote majority in the Illinois Senate, the Senate president told the Chicago Sun-Times.
"It was a perfect combination of the president of the United States being from Illinois and winning so big, the redrawing of boundaries to reflect a shift of population that attracted Democrats and really good candidates," Senate President Cullerton said.
The lone incumbent Senate Republican to lose Tuesday was state Sen. Carole Pankau (R-Carol Stream), who has been a state lawmaker since 1993 and a senator since 2005. She lost to Tom Cullerton.
The other four seats were in open districts, including in the northern suburbs where Melinda Bush defeated Joe Neal. Bush, of Grayslake, won the Republican seat now held by state Sen. Suzi Schmidt (R-Lake Villa), who did not seek re-election after becoming embroiled in controversy over the release of embarrassing 911 tapes that recorded fights with her estranged husband.
A question that won't become clear until later this year or early next year is how secure of a hold either Radogno or House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) may have on their legislative leader slots given the scale of Tuesday's losses within their caucuses.
Asked about whether he thinks Radogno might face a challenge from within her caucus, the Senate president said that's "totally up to them" but he'd be disappointed if she were ousted.
"Of course," Cullerton said. "She's a very nice person and very smart. She's well intended. She cares about policy. I work with her on many things. We've accomplished a lot together."
In the House, incumbent Republicans who lost included state Rep. Angelo "Skip" Saviano (R-Elmwood Park), Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), Rep. Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) and Rep. Richard Morthland (R-Cordova).
Saviano, a top member in House Minority Leader Tom Cross' inner circle, was targeted by Madigan for defeat after he slurred Attorney General Lisa Madigan and publicly criticized the speaker for blocking Saviano-backed McCormick Place legislation that would have authorized refinancing McPier debt.
Saviano, who has been in the House since 1993, lost to a virtually invisible Madigan-backed candidate, Republican-turned-Democrat Kathleen Willis. She received more than $458,000 from political funds controlled by the speaker since July 1, state campaign records show.
Mathias, who has been in the House since 1999, lost to state Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) in the only legislative election that pitted two incumbents against one another. Since July 1, state records show, Sente got even more than Willis from Madigan's funds: more than $591,000.
With both chambers now having veto-proof majorities, Quinn's veto authority becomes nearly meaningless after the new General Assembly is seated in January, though Cullerton said he doesn't share that belief since there have only been two overrides so far of Quinn vetoes.
"The main thing is there's no overtime to worry about anymore," Cullerton said.
I'm not sure why this is great news. Isn't it the Democrats who are offering us Secretary of State employees a 3 year 0% pay freeze contract?
The people have not forgotten which is why the Republicans took a good beating tonight. When Republicans captured 80 congressional seats in 2010 they didn't work with the President and they didn't work for the people, instead they kicked us while we were down. They went after SS Medicare, unions, collective bargining, welfare, foodstamps, as they demanded more contributions from peoples paychecks to fund healthcare all while giving the wealthy more tax breaks in their failed trickledown policies they continued to support. This trickle down policy drove this economy into the ground, and failed to produce jobs. The two wars they started and supported continued to drain the economy as they ignored the infrastucture. Republicans learned nothing from 2008, as they grandstanded another candidate who was a failure as a gov, had ties to Bain which outsourced American jobs, and took millions in fees from failing American companies. Romney stuffed millions into off shore accounts, paid less in taxes then me and you. Even on the last day of campaigning Mitt again tried to mislead voters into belieiving an auto co was selling out to China. Republicans worked harder trying to make Obama a one term president then working with the people, and once again it cost them dearly!
So, if Dems know how to fix our state, they will have no obstacles to getting it done.
Why does any corporation have its headquarters in Illinois? Why do people live and work in Illinois? What is the IQ of Illinois residents? The same political party that has ruled for decades now has a total lock down...the party of crushing debt, the party of corruption.... I came, I saw, I left.
Super. Don't come back!
The GOP got pummeled for two main reasons
One, the demographics have finally gone over the hump where those getting "free stuff" have a majority, and
Two, the GOP fixates on social issues.
As far as Romney, the rant by Joe raines is leftist drivel and inaccurate in content and fact.
Start with the fact that we do have trickle-down economics, but it is Trickle Down Government versus Capitlism. Those who truy believe the government can do it better are brainless.
Next, I think it is pretty clear that Obama ignored the infrastructure --- just look at his stimulus. A perfect example of crony capitalism.
Now, taxes ----- It is clear you have little to no understanding of taxes and the tax code, I will go out on a very long, thick limb and state Romeny paid more taxes than you, and me, times 250.. If your point is based on percentages, let me ask you a serious question: When was the last time you were able to spend a percentage and buy, say, a sandwich? A coffee? Thought so.
You have to be dense or a partisan hack to not understand the Chrysler issue. Yes, they are expanding overseas which means yes, they are sending potential U.S> jobs to China. What is it you cannot comprehend about this one?
Come on, man! Get real!
"Illinois has the lowest credit rating of the 50 states and has America’s second-biggest public debt per capita, $9,624, including state and local borrowing. For years, Illinois has racked up billions in public debt to plug budget holes, pay overdue bills, and put money into its mismanaged pension funds. And for the people who live there, this has resulted in decrepit commuter trains and buses, thousands of unsound bridges, 200 hazardous dams and one of the most inequitable public school systems in America." - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/business/illinois-debt-takes-toll-on-services-study-finds.html
Michael,
Please keep in mind that each U.S. citizen now owes more Federal debt per capita than Greece. Also note that the figure you quote is only for outstanding payables. It does not reflect the out of control unfunded public employee union pension and healthcare obligations, which combine for over $258 Billion. Nor does it count county and city debt. We atre awash with debt and those most responsible are still getting voted in with nothing to stop their inconceivable spending meant to ensure they remain in power, just as Obama will most certainly grant amnesty and citizenship to all illegals, grant them full back-dated benefits for the "injustices" inflicted on them as illegals to ensure another 12 million dem votes are locked up.
Raines,
You do understand that the matter you and the other clueless dems erfer to about Bain happened 20 years AFTER Romney left the firm, don't you? Yea, didn't think so.
Well, you should be happy that clueless, incompentent, uneducated morons like yourself are apparently now the majority. I think it's time the job creators and hard working Americans take a break from supporting your sorry arses.
WHY would Dems know how to fix this since they got us into this mess?
The Democrats shamelessly changed the boundaries of our state to ensure their victory. Now they will have no one but themselves to blame as Ilinois sinks into legendary debt and depression. My family and I were already considering moving out of state, and this will only hasten that decision.
For those of you who will wish me good riddance, let's see how well off you will be in a few years when the only people left to be taxed to support out-of-control social spending will be your fellow liberals. Good luck with that one!
Grew up in this state, near Chicago. Can't wait to leave. You, Joe Blow, can stay here holding the bag of Illinois' massive debt.
Solyndra.
I was born in IL, and have lived here for 47 years. It's only gotten MUCH worse. Corruption is rampant. I work in the IT field for a public college, and we are constantly targeted by vindictive and bitter people because we are public employees. The politicians have us in their sights, hoping to erase their 15 years of mismanagement with a few strokes of their pens.
I am "stuck" in IL for several personal reasons, but once these clear I am GETTING THE F#%! OUT OF THIS GODFORSAKEN STATE and never coming back. I may not even visit. I tell people all the time, we must have done some very awful things in past lives to wind up here in IL. It's as crooked as a third-world dictatorship. There is no justice. The clout-heavy politicians run the place with impunity, driving it into economic ruin and getting away with murder. Literally, in at least one case I can think of. The only reason Blago is in prison is because he fell out of favor with dictator Madigan. There will never be justice from the Feds so long as Obama is in power.
Madigan is the scourge of this state. Now with his army in full force, he'll be bullying us even more. He is a nafarious, rapacious power-lusting creep. Those are the only GOOD words I can think to speak of him.
Some people are so messed up, the system is designed to keep the rich Richer, and the poor Poorer. Meaning if you dont have to worry about bills and what things cost, this means you are wealthy, if you have to pay higher taxes for the millions that you make. Pay it.!!!!!!!!!You wont miss a dam dime. Part of the millions that you have a poor man probably help you to earn it, he got paid peanuts while you enjoy your millions. But someday you might wear those shoes too.
One party, left wing extremist government! Okay. Tell me the difference between Illinois and the old Soviet Union. Thanks to gerry-mandered districts, our treasured two-party system of government is a thing of the past. The only thing that will save Illinois, which is Republican in 98 of its 101 counties, is to secede from Cook Count/Chicago and form a separate state that will not be collapsing under the weight of corruption, excessive and unearned welfare, and a murder rate that would make Benghazi blush.
And nothing of value was lost
I will consider this a worthwhile development only if it leads to an amendment to the state constitution ditching the flat personal income tax and adopting a graduated tax like every other state with a lick of sense. Otherwise, it's just putting new paint on an old jalopy.