House Staffer Gets Boss' Seat For A day
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS/AP) -- An aide to a former Illinois state representative got to fill his boss' seat for a day in Springfield, representing the 105th House District in
Rep. Shane Cultra left the House to join the Illinois Senate and stepped down over the weekend, tabbing aide Russell Geisler to take his place for a day on Sunday.
Jason Barickman was elected as Cultra's successor and took over the seat on Monday. He said he doesn't have a problem with Geisler being allowed to vote on legislation, because he agrees with the votes.
Barickman said that Geisler got to do something in one day that Cultra couldn't do in eight years in the House -- vote to end free public transit for most senior citizens.
Some Republicans criticized the appointment, saying it trivializes the legislative seat. Cultra was appointed to the state Senate to replace Dan Rutherford, who's now Illinois' treasurer.
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