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Downstate lawmakers must stand united
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board
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Politically, Illinois might be split between Democrats and Republicans. But ideologically, the split follows more along geographical lines - Downstate vs. Chicago (and sometimes the "collar" counties).

This can be seen on issues from gun control to school funding.

With the state's power base firmly in the hands of Chicago-area Democrats, it is more important than ever for Downstaters of both parties to work together on their mutual interests.

This area's Republican contingent needs to reach across the aisle, and Democrats should do the same.

Senate Republicans Dan Rutherford and Bill Brady have a higher profile after their campaigns for statewide office: Rutherford as the party's nominee for secretary of state and Brady as a Republican primary contender for governor.

They should use that stature to encourage their party to forge alliances with Downstate Democrats.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's snubbing of Springfield is larger than his refusal to move into the Governor's Mansion. He also doesn't spend much time in Springfield working with the Legislature, compared to his predecessors.

And it's easy for this Chicago mindset to infiltrate the state agencies under Blagojevich's rule.

It takes more than a brief visit to drop off a check to understand a region's concern. The governor and other constitutional officers are supposed to serve the entire state, regardless of whether the need or received their votes.

Blagojevich won re-election largely because of his strong showing in Cook County. He also did well in most of deep Southern Illinois and the Metro East St. Louis area. But the rest of the state, with few exceptions, belonged to Republican Judy Baar Topinka.

Chicago-area Democrats swept all the constitutional offices and the leaders of both branches of the Legislature also are Chicago Democrats.

Fortunately, the Legislature hasn't been in lockstep with the governor on every initiative, despite the majority being from the same party.

Unfortunately, the governor has found methods to circumvent the Legislature when he doesn't get his way - such as directing funding to stem-cell research and imposing "junk food" rules on schools.

The Chicago-centric government could lead to Downstate concerns getting little or no respect, unless lawmakers from south of Interstate 80 - and rural parts of northwestern Illinois - cooperate to serve their constituents.

That means focusing on regional concerns, not just district concerns. It means standing up to party leadership by showing personal leadership.

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Reader comments on this story - 14 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

jeff wrote on Nov 18, 2006 7:20 PM:

" The poverty in southern Il. is a stain on both parties especially the dems . Manipulate minorities and control the poor that's our Il. democrat party for ya......... "

jimmy wrote on Nov 18, 2006 1:45 PM:

" "Unfortunately, the governor has found methods to circumvent the Legislature when he doesn't get his way..." hm. yet the "editorial board" has remained MUTE on the 700+ "signing statements" mr. bush has attached to laws that say he'll honor them if he sees fit. what a nice bit of partisan editorializing... "

Woodford Pundit wrote on Nov 18, 2006 9:58 AM:

" Excuse me, Otto, but the whole point of representative democracy is to PREVENT the majority from trampling the minority. "

Otto wrote on Nov 18, 2006 9:03 AM:

" Yes, the majority of voters in IL live in Chicago metro, so that is where the bulk of the votes are. Here's another shocker: The majority of voters in IL are over age 25, so they control the election. How about this: A majority of voters in IL have never ived in Brazil. So, the non-former-Brazil residents comprise a majority of the votes in IL. Scandalous, isn't it? It's almost like some kind of majority rule thing. "

Krusty Krab wrote on Nov 18, 2006 8:07 AM:

" Moderate wrote on November 17, 2006 2:49 PM: "As long as the Republican party continues to be dominated by conservatives rather than moderates it's chances for success are nil in Illinois. A republican must get the collar counties of Chicago to win, and it will become progressively harder to do such when your party is influenced by unappealing red state "values". " HEY! MAYBE YOU COULD BE THE FOUNDER OF A NEW "PARTY!" CALL IT "THE MODERATES"- WE DON'T HAVE THE CONVICTION OF THE REPULICANS, BUT WE'RE NOT AS WEAK AS THE DEMOCRATS." I BET YOU'LL WIN WITH ALL OF THE DIRECTIONLESS PLANKTON DRIFTING ABOUT. "

to the unflappable Fachna wrote on Nov 18, 2006 6:12 AM:

" Loved your post. An absolute on the money analogy ! "

Moderate wrote on Nov 17, 2006 2:49 PM:

" As long as the Republican party continues to be dominated by conservatives rather than moderates it's chances for success are nil in Illinois. A republican must get the collar counties of Chicago to win, and it will become progressively harder to do such when your party is influenced by unappealing red state "values". "

them vs us wrote on Nov 17, 2006 1:54 PM:

" Didn't I hear this morning that they ARE united? I thought I heard they voted themselves a 10% raise. "

me wrote on Nov 17, 2006 10:51 AM:

" Ya know, I keep hearing allot about education lately. To my knowledge 2+2 still equals 4, the "Times Tables" haven't changed, and Abe Lincoln was still our 16th President. What exactly needs funding? "

I Voted Green wrote on Nov 17, 2006 8:19 AM:

" I voted Green and I tried very hard to get Timothy V. Johnson out of office but it wasn't to be this time. Next time..... "

The Unflappable Fachna wrote on Nov 17, 2006 7:52 AM:

" Alas, poor Downstaters, the Sunni Muslims of Illinois, spurned and disdained by the Shi'a of Cook County and the Kurds of the Northeast! Let us Kosovars, Bosniacs, Croats and Montenegrins shake the dust of Serbia from our sandals and traipse off to fall amongst our own thieves! The Free State of Downstate, that's our goal! Forget all that "By thy rivers gently flowing..." psalmody; hail not the orange, neither the blue; rally under the banner of the elephant, behind..... Dan Rutherford and Bill Brady? "

Woodford Pundit wrote on Nov 17, 2006 7:06 AM:

" Here, here! Watch these veto session votes carefully. One small example of what's been going on - the downstate teachers' pension fund is the one not being funded. The Chicago area contributions are up to date. "

Golffan wrote on Nov 17, 2006 6:36 AM:

" "The Chicago-centric government could lead to Downstate concerns getting little or no respect..." Forget the respect. I'll settle for the money.And my Bag man is just the guy who can get it. "

The Happy Cynic wrote on Nov 17, 2006 6:14 AM:

" Too bad Cook, Will, and DuPage counties have over 65% of the Illinois population, and thus the government representation. Face it folks, Chicago will always rule Illinois. And guess what? It's a good thing! Being a red state means greater pollution, less innovation and productivity, and poorer education. If you want to live in a state ruled by "rural" values, move to the south! "
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