Illinois has a front-row seat on the ugliness of representative democracy

BE-ELECTED
by Chad Rubel

The breakup finally was official, though it was done by phone. "It has been a privilege and an honor" were the words left on the answering machine. I was thanked for the opportunity. I was told that even though brighter things were in the future, I could always call if I needed something clarified or fixed.

And with that, Rahm Emanuel told me he was resigning from Congress.

Okay, so it was an automated call. And even though I barely live in his district and I don't think he has kept the thoughts of the constituents (especially me) in his voting record, he did at least have the decency to let me know it was over.

Now, as of Friday, I will have one U.S. Senator as my only Washington representation. You may think your House representative stinks, but at least you have one.

While I likely won't be getting a junior U.S. Senator anytime soon, there is a theoretical timeline for picking a new House rep. Within 5 days after a resignation, the governor sets a date within 115 days. Yes, that's right, the person who sets the schedule is Rod Blagojevich.

If the pattern is to be followed based on recent Congressional special elections in Illinois, there will be two rounds: a primary and a general election.

There are a couple of names that come up for me in the possible candidate list: Mike Quigley is a Cook County Board Member who has been fighting the inept establishment. State Representative Sara Feigenholtz has developed a strong track record and is known within the boundaries of the 5th District.

There is also Debra Mell, an incoming State Representative. She also happens to be the sister-in-law of the sitting governor (Blagojevich), and the fact that she just got elected to a different post might be enough to write her off. But this is Chicago, and anything, unfortunately, can happen.

Emanuel was a carpetbagger when he ran for this seat in 2002, so there is the very real possibility of higher forces (Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, et al) trying to squeeze in a candidate and put pressure to clear the field.

And if you're thinking that maybe the Congressional special election would somehow get piggybacked on the magical special election that might happen for Barack Obama's seat, well that would be too obvious. It won't happen.

Being all alone (oh, sorry, Dick Durbin, didn't mean to forget you) politically around New Year's is depressing. Maybe the New Year will bring me a new Representative, hopefully one that will be more receptive to our needs. And the New Year could bring me a new Senator, maybe two if Pat Quinn gets in, picks someone, and then we have a special election for an 18-month stint (Democrats may be more compassionate, but not necessarily smarter).

We love the idea of pushing representative democracy around the world, but unfortunately, sometimes, representative democracy looks like lazy pigs wallowing in mud. Happy New Year!!