Cullerton new leader for Senate Dems

In a second ballot unanimous vote last week, Senate Democrats voted 60 year old northside Chicago Senator John Cullerton as their choice for Senate President to succeed retiring Senator Emil Jones. 

Cullerton and his key rival State Senator James Clayborne of Belleville joined State Senator James Meeks at Meeks' mega-church Sunday with a show of unity. Cullerton told the congregation the state would no longer be "embarrassed," the Tribune's Rick Pearson reports this am. Clayborne agreed that fairer education funding would be a priority in the new session.

With Cullerton as the choice, that signals House Speaker Mike Madigan has racked up an advantage in the ongoing Blago/Madigan intraparty feud.  Cullerton worked closely with Madigan while in the House, and although Cullerton's move to the Senate caused a rift at the time, Cullerton is expected to be a Madigan ally in his new post.

Cullerton served in the Illinois House from 1979 to 1991, when he moved to the Senate.  In the past eighteen years, has pushed in the Illinois Senate for tougher drunk driving laws, public and private property smoking bans, more stringent seat belt mandates, legalization of marijuana and domestic partnership rights.