Progress Illinois

This morning, in the wake of Scott Lee Cohen's departure from the race, news outlets across the state are floating the names of possible Democratic lieutenant nominees.  The most dramatic possibility is a Dan Hynes appointment.  But how would Gov. Pat Quinn -- who was pummeled by Hynes during the gubernatorial primary -- feel about that?  We'll find out in about a half-hour when Quinn talks to reporters at Chicago's Allegro Hotel.  Check back for more details later this morning. (UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Nevermind.  Capitol Fax has learned that Hynes is "not interested" in the position.)

The conventional wisdom in Illinois political circles is that House Speaker Michael Madigan -- ever-protective of his majority -- doesn't want to force his members to take a tough vote on a tax reform plan without adequate GOP cover. But take a look at the turnout figures from Tuesday's primary elections. While almost 30,000 more voters cast ballots in the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary than in 2006, Democratic participation actually dropped by about 2,000 voters. The discrepancy was even more acute in the U.S. Senate primary. National political analysts are attributing the "enthusiasm gap" to Democratic ineptitude in Washington, specifically the Senate's handling of health care reform. There's probably some truth to that theory. But events closer to the ground matter, too.  Illinois is in horrible fiscal shape. The Democratic Party -- having botched a golden opportunity in 2009 to pass comprehensive campaign finance laws and begin closing the state's budget crisis -- isn't providing its base with a convincing reason to head to the polls and vote for any Democrat. Instead, the party leaders appears to be standing idly by as the state implodes on their watch. If he wants to protect the size of his majority come November, Speaker Madigan needs to address this disillusionment.  More inaction in Springfield will only exacerbate it.