SPRINGFIELD (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Being the first woman to lead a caucus of the Illinois House of Representatives may be an important thing, but House Minority Leader-elect Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said it’s not the only thing.
“I was the first female mayor in Savanna, so this is not a first for me, but I certainly don’t want it to be who I am,” McCombie told reporters Wednesday, reminding us of a floor debate over a diversity bill sponsored by then-State Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside), who is now speaker. “You shouldn’t be chosen because you’re a woman,” McCombie said. “You should be chosen because you are the right person.”
Outgoing House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said Republicans need to be more tolerant of moderates within the party.
His successor, McCombie, offered her take on that view.
“Here’s the thing, in Illinois, it’s not about being pro-life or pro-gun. In Illinois, we continue to push the extremes, and maybe that message wasn’t apparent. But, there would be, in my opinion, no pro-choice Republicans that would vote to repeal parental notification that would allow abortions up to nine months. So, I think that’s what we need to talk about in Illinois, (it) is the extremes,” McCombie said.
Across the rotunda, the senator chosen to lead the minority caucus said it’s not about being able to do something outgoing leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) could not.
“It’s about managing the team and putting the members in place so they are effective in their particular roles,” said State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “We have to convince Illinoisans that it's in their best interest that the minority party play a significant role in public policy.”
The 103rd General Assembly is seated in January.
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