Working for Illinois Caucus

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Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa) never really imagined politics was a part of his plan. A longtime heavy machine operator and Business Agent for powerful union Local 150, Yednock said he was “plucked” to run against a scandal-plagued Republican lawmaker and unpopular Governor in Republican Bruce Rauner.

“I came into this late, for a pretty narrow reason,” Yednock said. “I didn’t want to be there forever. It really I felt like I needed to be a citizen legislator, and I wasn’t going to just continue to run.”

Yednock stepped aside this year, not seeking re-election to his LaSalle-Peru to DeKalb based district.

The moderate, along with a handful of other centrist Democrats, including Rep. Larry Walsh (D-Elwood), Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield), and Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) “ruffled some feathers” in the Democratic caucus this year, nearly holding up the Democratic budget package, including forcing multiple votes on a tax increase bill at 4:30 in the morning in May.

“I think that everybody’s intention is the right thing that we want to,” Yednock said. “We want to make sure the process is good. We want to make sure we’re spending money wisely, that we’re we’re trying to do the things that we can go back to our districts and say, ‘this is how we’re running government.’ I think we were always tiptoeing with that line. The Moderate caucus really wants to be just a financially responsible caucus saying, ‘if you have a good idea, we’re up for good ideas. But we also have to remember we got to pay for it.”

Yednock says Democrats, and House Speaker Chris Welch, have a tough job to manage a large, diverse caucus ranging from center-left moderates to far-left progressives.

“We are trying to figure out whether we’re a pretty far left or left of center party,” Yednock said. “The speaker’s job is to manage that and he’s taken over from probably a pretty conservative to moderate speaker for the last 50 years. He’s had some challenges, there’s no doubt about it. And I wouldn’t want his job for the world. Him navigating that is you know, one of is still going to be one of his biggest challenges, especially in light of the last election.”

Yednock admits moderates are starting to gain traction in Springfield, and he would have been more effective if he stayed another term or two.

“We stood up for some things this last year or two and had to become a caucus that people wanted to talk to and find out whether they had our support or not, mostly around financial issues, the budget, et cetera,” he said, “So that gives me pause to say I wish I would have been there another term or two to continue pushing on the things that we thought are important.”

He hasn’t flushed out future plans, but says he hopes to either return back to the Local 150 office or to begin operating heavy machinery again.

He’ll be replaced by Amy Murri-Briel, who goes by “Murri.” Briel, who previously worked in Yednock’s office, defeated Republican Liz Bishop by 595 votes, making her a likely target for the GOP in two years.

ROCKFORD, Ill (WREX) – State Representative Dave Vella is calling on the community to help bring holiday cheer by participating in his annual Cards For Seniors holiday card drive. 

Holiday cards can be brought to his office located at 4007 N. Mulford Road in Loves Park by December 18. Participants are welcomed to bring both hand made and store bought cards. The cards will then be taken to senior homes in the 68th District. 

Participants are encouraged to write messages inside the holiday cards they bring. State Rep. Dave Vella encourages artists to have fun when designing the cards. 

All holiday cards will be distributed to residents at senior homes by December 23. For more information please visit the official website at https://www.staterepdavevella.com/calendar/cards-4-seniors.

ROCKFORD, Ill (WREX) – In an effort to bring warmth to the Stateline, State Representative Maurice West and the Rockford IceHogs are partnering for the 11th annual Share the Warmth clothing drive. 

Last year, the Share the Warmth clothing drive brought in nearly 800 items of clothing and were taken to the Rockford Rescue Mission, Carpenter’s Place and Shelter Care Ministries. 

Rockford Ice Hog fans can bring a warm clothing item with them to the upcoming game on Friday, November 29 to receive a free ticket to a future IceHogs game. Fans are encouraged to bring either new or gently used items like jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, snow pants, sweatshirts, socks, and underwear. 

Share the Warmth drop off bins can be found at each entry at the BMO Center on Black Friday and fans that donate will receive a card with a QR code where they can then redeem their free ticket. 

“The Share the Warmth donation drive is a testimony to Rockford’s unity and care for those in need,” said West. “Let’s make sure our neighbors are covered in warmth and kindness this winter, ensuring that no one in our community faces the cold alone. Thank you to the IceHogs for demonstrating your continued commitment to our community by partnering in this important work.” 

“We are thrilled to partner with State Representative West on Share the Warmth again this season,” said Dave Costello, the Rockford IceHogs Manager and Marketing and Community Relations. “Our fans always seem to rise to the occasion with their generosity for important initiatives like this and I am excited to see the impact we can make for people in need this holiday season.” 

It took two weeks, but Democrat Murri Briel has been declared the winner of the 76^th District State Representative race.

Briel currently serves as State Representative Lance Yedncok’s aide and chief of staff. She appeared on Rod Thorson’s morning show Thursday.

One topic was Briel’s view of the future of education in a district that not only includes Northern Illinois University, but also a number of community colleges. Briel said she’s concerned about the load that would be put on the state if the U.S. Department of Education is broken up or dissolved.

On healthcare, Briel spoke personally. During the campaign she had described not being able to return to the Illinois Valley because of her neurodivergent sons’ particular needs.

Briel says free-market competition is a beautiful thing, and she’d like to see more providers move into Starved Rock Country.

Of course, younger people are leaving, too. Briel said innovative employers will be key to keeping young talent from leaving the Illinois Valley in search of opportunities elsewhere.

Briel said she’s going to stay in Lance Yednock’s Ottawa office at 628 Columbus Street. She says that he showed her that constituent service is the majority of the job.

You can listen to Rod Thorson’s full interview with State Representative-Elect Briel here:

State Rep. Sharon Chung, who fended off Republican challenger Desi Anderson to hold her Illinois House seat on Election Day, said state and local Democratic victories show "a really energized party with lots of momentum."

"I think it’s a lot of the work that we’ve been doing as a party — a lot of work that we’ve been doing as candidates, getting out there, talking to people," Chung said Wednesday during a live interview on WGLT on Morning Edition. "I think, in the past, there really haven’t been as many candidates who have been willing to step up and and run a really competitive race with resources put behind them."

Chung was among several Democratic wins in McLean County: U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen beat Republican Joe McGraw in the 17th Congressional District. Democratic state Sen. Dave Koehler, whose 46th District now includes Bloomington-Normal, won his sixth term against Republican challenger Sally Owens. And Democrats also seized majority control of the McLean County Board in Tuesday’s election, unseating two incumbent Republicans and tipping the balance of power in their favor for the first time.

Chung, a former county board member, said the shift in power balance on the county board is the byproduct of years of on-the-ground work.

"Every single one of the candidates who ran for county board this year — they were out there knocking on doors, talking to their neighbors, talking to their friends. We started that back at in 2018 when I ran for county board," she said. "Back then, there were five Democratic members on the board. [It’s pretty] incredible just to be able to make the make up those grounds, in that short amount of time."

Chung gave the comments during an interview on Morning Edition, where she also discussed upcoming legislative priorities. You can listen to the full interview below.