We confess ourselves confused. How can Ward 3 Ald./state Sen. Doris "Huey Long" Turner hold two offices at the same time? After being picked to replace former Sen. Andy Manar over the weekend and being sworn in for her state gig, Turner on Tuesday participated in the Springfield City Council committee-of-the-whole meeting. As of press time, she hasn't resigned from her city office. The Illinois Constitution says this: "No member of the General Assembly shall receive compensation as a public officer or employee from any other governmental entity for time during which he is in attendance as a member of the General Assembly." The state Senate is scheduled to convene on March 2. Is that Turner's deadline for turning it in as a member of the Springfield City Council? She couldn't be reached for comment. Meanwhile, Frank McNeil, a former Springfield city council member who lives in Ward 3 and had tried for the Senate appointment, says that he considered trying to replace Turner on the council but will take a pass. "I thought about seeking the appointment," McNeil said. "I just think it's time for me to let someone younger go ahead."
POLITICS
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