21
May
2002
Ten years ago, Bill Holland was one of the most hated people in the Illinois Statehouse.
As Democratic Senate President Phil Rock's chief of staff, Holland had a difficult assignment. Rock was a nice man. He still is, actually. And in politics, all nice-guy leaders need somebody to say "no" for them. That way, they can play hardball without catching the blame.
Holland did his job well. Too well, some might say. At times, Holland seemed to enjoy his hatchet-man role more than a normal person would have.
Holland was reviled by his staff, who thought he was overbearing and mean, hated by the Senate Republicans, who said he was too partisan, and not exactly beloved by House Speaker Michael Madigan, who never got along well with either Rock or Holland.
Holland's career prospects didn't look all that great in 1992 when the Republicans won the right to draw the new legislative district map and his boss decided to retire. He couldn't be a lobbyist, because he had alienated so many people. And Senator Emil Jones, in line to be the next Senate Democratic Leader, had his own choice for chief of staff.
Rock, loyal to his top lieutenant, decided that Holland's best bet would be the soon-to-be-vacant job of Illinois Auditor General.
As you might imagine, getting the unpopular Holland the prestigious auditor-general post was no easy task, particularly since the election required a three-fifths vote in both the House and the Senate.
Republicans rightly worried that Holland would use the position to embarrass their party. The auditor general examines the books of all state agencies, which are controlled by the governor, and, you might have noticed, our governors have been members of the Republican Party since 1977. The Repubs also wanted some revenge for all the political trouble Holland caused them over the years. Even many Democrats, especially in the Senate, wanted to use the opportunity to get back at Holland for whatever he had done to them.
Rock was forced to use up just about every favor he had left to get Holland elected to the 10-year term.
Long ago, I wrote that Holland was "the most despised humanoid on the planet," or something like that. I didn't like the guy much, and the feeling was mutual. After the enmity had built up a bit, I remember approaching him at a party and extending my hand in an attempt at sociability. But my smile was met with a nasty glare. So, I gave up. And I didn't exactly write glowing stories about him during the auditor-general election.
But then Holland surprised everybody - and I do mean everybody - when he landed the auditor general's spot.
After he had been on the job a couple of months, I decided to write a "how's he doing now" story on Holland, so I called a couple of friends who worked at the auditor general's office. "For the first time, I love my job," said one of my friends. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I figured they'd hate him, but they loved the guy.
Holland was somehow transformed by his new post. He discovered immediately that his new staff was demoralized after an erratic reign by his predecessor, who reportedly had a bad habit of not showing up for work.
So, he treated his staff well, threw them some parties, listened to their complaints, and ushered in an era of professionalism. The previous auditor general had engaged in a nasty, high-profile fight over auditing the state Supreme Court's books, but Holland cut a good deal within weeks.
And his good works have continued to this day. Holland's audits are sound and timely, he is always accessible, and his shop is well-run. The two of us are even on friendly terms these days.
And just last week, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously voted to give Holland another 10-year term. Senators as diverse as downstate liberal Vince Demuzio (D-Carlinville) and suburban conservative Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) co-sponsored the joint resolution. Representatives Julie Curry (D-Decatur) and Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) are the two chief co-sponsors in the House.
The "Evil One" has become the good guy. I don't know how he did it, or what actually caused his transformation, but I can say that Illinois government is much better off because of the "new" Bill Holland.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter. He can be reached at (http://www.capitolfax.com).
Holland did his job well. Too well, some might say. At times, Holland seemed to enjoy his hatchet-man role more than a normal person would have.
Holland was reviled by his staff, who thought he was overbearing and mean, hated by the Senate Republicans, who said he was too partisan, and not exactly beloved by House Speaker Michael Madigan, who never got along well with either Rock or Holland.
Holland's career prospects didn't look all that great in 1992 when the Republicans won the right to draw the new legislative district map and his boss decided to retire. He couldn't be a lobbyist, because he had alienated so many people. And Senator Emil Jones, in line to be the next Senate Democratic Leader, had his own choice for chief of staff.
Rock, loyal to his top lieutenant, decided that Holland's best bet would be the soon-to-be-vacant job of Illinois Auditor General.
As you might imagine, getting the unpopular Holland the prestigious auditor-general post was no easy task, particularly since the election required a three-fifths vote in both the House and the Senate.
Republicans rightly worried that Holland would use the position to embarrass their party. The auditor general examines the books of all state agencies, which are controlled by the governor, and, you might have noticed, our governors have been members of the Republican Party since 1977. The Repubs also wanted some revenge for all the political trouble Holland caused them over the years. Even many Democrats, especially in the Senate, wanted to use the opportunity to get back at Holland for whatever he had done to them.
Rock was forced to use up just about every favor he had left to get Holland elected to the 10-year term.
Long ago, I wrote that Holland was "the most despised humanoid on the planet," or something like that. I didn't like the guy much, and the feeling was mutual. After the enmity had built up a bit, I remember approaching him at a party and extending my hand in an attempt at sociability. But my smile was met with a nasty glare. So, I gave up. And I didn't exactly write glowing stories about him during the auditor-general election.
But then Holland surprised everybody - and I do mean everybody - when he landed the auditor general's spot.
After he had been on the job a couple of months, I decided to write a "how's he doing now" story on Holland, so I called a couple of friends who worked at the auditor general's office. "For the first time, I love my job," said one of my friends. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I figured they'd hate him, but they loved the guy.
Holland was somehow transformed by his new post. He discovered immediately that his new staff was demoralized after an erratic reign by his predecessor, who reportedly had a bad habit of not showing up for work.
So, he treated his staff well, threw them some parties, listened to their complaints, and ushered in an era of professionalism. The previous auditor general had engaged in a nasty, high-profile fight over auditing the state Supreme Court's books, but Holland cut a good deal within weeks.
And his good works have continued to this day. Holland's audits are sound and timely, he is always accessible, and his shop is well-run. The two of us are even on friendly terms these days.
And just last week, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously voted to give Holland another 10-year term. Senators as diverse as downstate liberal Vince Demuzio (D-Carlinville) and suburban conservative Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) co-sponsored the joint resolution. Representatives Julie Curry (D-Decatur) and Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) are the two chief co-sponsors in the House.
The "Evil One" has become the good guy. I don't know how he did it, or what actually caused his transformation, but I can say that Illinois government is much better off because of the "new" Bill Holland.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter. He can be reached at (http://www.capitolfax.com).
