Illinois’ statewide officers take oath of office

Posted on January 12, 2015

Jesse White was sworn in Monday for his fifth term as Illinois Secretary of State. (WJBC file photo)

By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois' statewide constitutional officers have taken their oaths of office at an inaugural ceremony in Springfield.
 
Republican businesswoman Leslie Munger was sworn into her first tem as comptroller on Monday. New GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner named her to replace Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, who died after winning a second term in November.
 
Evelyn Sanguinetti was sworn in as Rauner's lieutenant governor. Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan was sworn into a fourth term and Democrat Jesse White was sworn into his fifth term as secretary of state. And Democrat Michael Frerichs – a former state senator – was sworn into his first term as treasurer.

White is the longest-serving secretary of state in Illinois history.
 
Each of the constitutional officeholders planned open houses Monday afternoon at their offices.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…