Barbara Flynn Currie, Illinois House's second-ranking Democrat, won't run for re-election

Democratic state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie won't run for re-election in 2018, sources with knowledge of her decision said, signaling a career ending for Illinois' first female majority leader and a longtime ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Her decision comes more than 20 years after Madigan first named her to the influential post in early 1997 and nearly 40 years after she first entered the House in 1979.

State Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat and deputy majority leader, said Currie's departure will mean a great loss of institutional knowledge. He contended the era of of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has worn down many lawmakers who were interested in process.

Currie's district includes Woodlawn, South Shore, Hyde Park, Kenwood, and South Chicago. Her decision to step aside removes a House Democrat mentioned as a possible Madigan successor and could touch off bids for her seat in Springfield.

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