His super-minority caucus is fractured into no less than two even smaller camps
For the second time this 12 months, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has stripped certainly one of his member’s entry to a House communications staffer.
Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, is the newest to lose his state-funded communications workers member. Earlier this 12 months, Rep. Dave McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, misplaced his comms staffer for criticizing fellow Republican Rep. Steve Reick for allegedly making “racist” feedback and calling on House GOP Leader Jim Durkin to resign for being a “fake Republican” and “corrupt insider.” McSweeney, who needs to run statewide in 2022, mentioned he paid for his personal communications staffer, so he wasn’t involved.
The issues with Miller (no relation) began coming to a head final month when his Facebook web page displayed an Americans for Prosperity Illinois publish calling on readers to “Keep Rep. Brady accountable for raising the gas tax.” The publish featured a photograph of Rep. Dan Brady, a Deputy House Republican Leader.
Rep. Miller claimed later that his Facebook account had been hacked. “Thanks for the heads up,” he instructed me after denying he’d made the publish. I used to be doubtful of the reason, to say the least.
And the assaults on his fellow Republicans continued. Earlier this month, he wrote on Facebook “Republicans don’t vote for tax hikes,” and referred to as the GOP members who voted to boost the Motor Fuel Tax “Republicans in name only.”
Miller claimed in one other publish (which, like just about every little thing else quoted right here, has additionally disappeared from his Facebook web page, however was saved by the House Republicans) that gasoline was 30 cents a gallon cheaper throughout the Indiana border and wrote “Thank Dems and Rinos.” And he talked some smack about Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, who voted for the gasoline tax hike. “She done the same crap last time on the budget.”
”The House Republican caucus doesn’t tolerate assaults on fellow members,” mentioned Leader Durkin’s spokesperson Eleni Demertzis when requested in regards to the workers transfer.
”Apparently folks that vote in opposition to tax hikes have to be punished,” Rep. Miller responded, claiming that the transfer reminded him of junior highschool.
Miller additionally mentioned he was “very emotional” after shedding his comms staffer. “It’s going to be tough without him.” But he posted a photograph on his Facebook web page, additionally since deleted, of his wheat mix with the textual content “Mission accomplished! Wheat cut. [Staffer’s name] gone. Prayers have been answered.” Asked about that, Miller mentioned it was a “weak moment” and mentioned he was most likely spending an excessive amount of time on his mix.
Rep. Miller issued a proper assertion the next day quoting the Illinois Republican Party Platform’s plank about opposing tax hikes.
”It apparently is totally acceptable to violate a transparent tenet of the Republican Party platform as nobody who voted for the tax will increase is being penalized in any manner,” Miller mentioned within the launch. “I make some comments about my disappointment in Republican support for tax hikes and that is what gets our Republican leadership angry.”
”I’ll proceed to talk my thoughts and can proceed to oppose tax will increase,” Miller continued. “The vast majority of my constituents are furious about the tax increases approved this spring. I hear from them every day and the message I give to them is that I will stand with them by opposing tax hikers regardless of their political party affiliation.”
Notice that he mentioned he’ll oppose “tax hikers.” That would come with members of his personal Republican caucus.
Miller is a member of what’s identified in Springfield because the Eastern Bloc, a handful of anti-tax, pro-life, ultra-conservative House members from jap and southeastern Illinois. They haven’t had an influence on the Statehouse exterior of sometimes getting just a little publicity by utilizing over-heated rhetoric. And now no less than certainly one of them has determined to go…