Statement on the confrontation between Sens. Kyle McCarter and Mike Jacob which occurred following debate on Senate Bill 1652:
During the debate on Senate Bill 1652, I called attention to a process which allowed a 150-page bill with a $3.7 billion impact on Illinois electric ratepayers to come up for a vote in the last hours of the legislative session after only receiving a six minute hearing in committee.
The bill was sponsored – and ushered through this process -- by Sen. Mike Jacobs, chairman of the Energy Committee, whose father is also a registered lobbyist for Commonwealth Edison, the primary beneficiary of the legislation.
After the debate, Sen. Jacobs came to my seat on the floor of the Illinois Senate – using profanity and pointing his finger before he punched me with his fist in my chest. A colleague rose to calm the situation but the Senator continued using profanity with other senators nearby.
The legislative process is in need of sunshine and accountability not a process that picks winners based on money, power, backroom deals or slick political maneuvering by powerful, connected lobbyists. The legislative process and behavior we were treated to tonight give our state a black eye and the citizens of Illinois should not tolerate it.
Sen. Jacob’s behavior was uncalled for and beneath the dignity of the Senate.
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