SPRINGFIELD - Wednesday evening the 19 surviving members of the Illinois Senate GOP caucus chose to re-elect State Senator Chris Radogno (R-Lemont) to lead their legislative strategy in the session starting January 2013. The IL Senate GOP Facebook provided no details, only the outcome. Highland's Kyle McCarter offered himself as an alternative.
UPDATE - Six GOP caucus members voted for Kyle McCarter - himself, Dan Duffy, Darin LaHood, and three Senate newcomers - Jim Oberweis, Mike Connelly, and Chapin Rose. "Stepped up to lead & stood by my principles but not enough Rep senators had the courage to break from the Radogno failing status quo," McCarter tweeted after the vote.
Here's a photo of the current IL Senate Republican caucus with an "X" marking the caucus members that won't be returning, from left to right: Carole Pankau, John Millner, Chris Lauzen, Shane Cultra, John O. Jones, Christine Johnson, Suzi Schmidt, Tom Johnson and Ron Sandack.
New additions not pictured, but joining the new 19-member (five less than in 2010) IL Senate caucus will be Jason Barickman, Mike Connelly, Karen McConnaughay, Jim Oberweis and Chapin Rose. Senate Democrats will boast a super-majority once again.
