Statehouse Playhouse Christensen wins in last act

The five-month drama over who should represent the 85th District moved to an exciting if not unanticipated climax April 2. The show opened December 23 when 10-year incumbent Ray Christensen, a Democrat, challenged his four-vote loss to Republican Jerry Weller. It closed on the House floor, where the Illinois Constitution says such challenges must be decided. "I feel we've all been cast as part of a play," said Rep. Tom Ryder (R-97, Jerseyville) during floor debate. The final scene was no mystery. After months of recounts, rancor and rhetoric, all Democrats decided that Christensen won. All Republicans maintained Weller won.

ACT V:

Scene 1: The four Republican members of the Elections Committee walk out of the March 12 hearing. They demand access to ballot applications and complain that the committee's lack of set procedures, hearing times and agendas frustrates their preparation. The Republicans win this battle. After weekend negotiations, House Majority Leader Jim McPike (D-l 12, Alton), one of six committee Democrats, announces an agreement that guarantees both sides access to election materials and sets a schedule for the remaining hearings.

Scene 2: After hearing an inventory of all ballots and election materials, the committee votes on March 20 to accept undisputed ballot totals of 14,196 for Weller and 14,187 for Christensen. But the committee must still decide which of approximately 100 disputed ballots to count.

Scene 3: The committee meets again on March 24 and begins examining and voting on the disputed ballots. The committee votes either on individual ballots or on groups of ballots and sometimes argues over how to group the votes. The tide turns against Weller. Protests from Republicans mount, as Christensen gains. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson (R-104, Urbana), complains that Democrats make "no attempt to be fair.'' At one point in the proceedings, House Minority Leader Lee A. Daniels (R-46, Elmhurst) confronts McPike: "Don't embarrass this process, Jim, and make us look like fools!" Weller's lead is down to two votes when Republicans storm out of the hearing again.

Johnson calls the process "an absolute hypocrisy." Democrats complete the recount by themselves; Christensen finally passes Weller in the vote count, and the Election Committee's final report declares him the winner, with 14,224 votes to Weller's 14,221.

Scene 4: Judgment Day. On the morning of April 2 Weller supporters rally in the Capitol. A banner draped from the second floor balcony asks, "Did my vote count, Mister Speaker?" Gov. James R. Thompson and other Republican luminaries protest Weller's pending ouster. The final vote to accept the Election Committee report comes after three hours of debate. Christensen takes the oath of office afterwards.

Denouement: Weller pledges to return. Christensen says he is "happy." The Democratic House majority increases to 68-50 majority. Republicans offer a constitutional amendment to take future recounts out of the House.

Epilogue: Weller returns his state license plates. "This was the most unkindest cut of all!"

Chris Gaudet