The Speaker deserves respect and regardless of what a person might think of him, he’s been an integral part of Illinois politics and the policy outcomes for the better part of four decades. Personally, I can’t be more diametrically different politically, but none the less, God Bless and Happy Birthday!
Don’t retire yet. Don’t skip out on the pension and budget mess that you are partially responsible for. Use your power to implement hard decisons on both. Then retire.
NIref, LOVE your post!! Maybe someone should put a whoopie cushion on his chair. Heck what’s the over/under on the number of times he smiles in a year? Vegas prolly set it at 9.5
Maybe he lets his hair down and eats one and a half apples to celebrate the milestone. Who knows, he may even allow himself a brief peak at the SJR’s “funny pages”. He’s heard they’re quite a hoot—-if one has the time and inclination in engage in such things.
=I guess if you can’t beat them, you call on them to retire. You have to earn that prize, folks.=
Well, he did kick Daniels rear with a Republican map in the 90’s, but the other two decades of his rule, and the beginning of the third was decided by the draw out of a hat. So, while I agree he is one of the greatest political minds in the history of the state, let’s not forget that he has the luck of the Irish on his side as well.
Also, over the past 40 years, everytime the Dems have won the draw there has been a Democrat SOS, and the Repubs only won when Ryan was SOS. Now I’m not acusing…I’m just sayin……..
===So, while I agree he is one of the greatest political minds in the history of the state, let’s not forget that he has the luck of the Irish on his side as well.===
Used to hate the man, then Blago came in with the silly idea he was going to run the show… and almost did. Madigan was the only leader to stand up to him and hold the line against Blago. Thank you, Mr. Madigan for that. Still don’t agree with some of the things he does, but you have to admire his control…Happy Birthday.
Wait people…isn’t everyone saying the GA should raise the retirement age for state workers? And doesn’t this provide exhibit one that our older workers can do so successfully? So, God Bless us everyone!
Yeah, tell me who we’d be better off with as Speaker.
Tom Cross was Rod’s jogging buddy, Rod’s biggest ally in the General Assembly after Emil, and criticized Madigan for suggesting Rod should be impeached.
The real question is who can do it better? No one has done so much for so little to help every part of this state. We should be thankful that MJM has dedicated his life to Illinois and this process. Shame on you for all these mean comments! He has been the best Speaker this state has ever had having to work with all those personalities of all those legislators and those Governors? The man deserves a medal!!!
- Just Because - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:38 am:
RETIRE
- MOON - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:39 am:
I hope he is around for another 70 years. Happy Birthday !
- Homer J. Simpson - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:47 am:
70? He doesn’t look a day over 70.
- Griz - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:49 am:
Move on!
- Shore - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:53 am:
retire.
- Boone Logan Square - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:54 am:
We’ll look back on this someday as the midway point in his speakership. (If anyone other than MJM is still alive at that point.)
- Dan Shields, Springfield, IL - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:56 am:
MJM, give us a present on your birthday. RETIRE
- Captain Illini - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 10:56 am:
The Speaker deserves respect and regardless of what a person might think of him, he’s been an integral part of Illinois politics and the policy outcomes for the better part of four decades. Personally, I can’t be more diametrically different politically, but none the less, God Bless and Happy Birthday!
- Lisa Madigan - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:00 am:
Retire, please. Please. Please.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:00 am:
Why don’t we have a mandatory retirement age?
- Robert - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:04 am:
Don’t retire yet. Don’t skip out on the pension and budget mess that you are partially responsible for. Use your power to implement hard decisons on both. Then retire.
- MrJM - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:07 am:
That the true name of theLord of the Nazgûl was never revealed in any of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings.
– MrJM
- Wensicia - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:09 am:
Happy Birthday!
Now fix the pension system before #71.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:10 am:
When he starts calling for brains in Springfield, we will know the undeath has kicked in…
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:21 am:
I guess if you can’t beat them, you call on them to retire. You have to earn that prize, folks.
- Bman - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:43 am:
He’s fifty years beyond useful, he should retire. Short of that maybe a lobotomy!
- frustrated GOP - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:45 am:
Mandatory retirement age!
- NIref - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:46 am:
Rumor has it that the Speaker will celebrate this momentous day by smiling in public.
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:51 am:
I thought he was Speaker for 70 years…
- The Captain - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:52 am:
Apple
- 10th ward - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 12:08 pm:
NIref, LOVE your post!! Maybe someone should put a whoopie cushion on his chair. Heck what’s the over/under on the number of times he smiles in a year? Vegas prolly set it at 9.5
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 12:29 pm:
ILGOP CALLS FOR MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR GA
ILGOP GIVES MJM B-DAY GIFT; THE ILGOP LEADERSHIP
CROSS SPENDS MJM B-DAY GOLFING; NOTHING CHANGES
MJM’S BITHDAY DINNER? PIZZA WITH MUSHROOMS
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 12:42 pm:
Wouldn’t suprise me if Madigan “forgot” it was his birthday, knowing how tirelessly Madigan works everyday.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 12:52 pm:
=What are your thoughts on this occasion?=
*thinks*
Happy Birthday?
*giggles, hopes for a smile*
Uh oh.
- Miss Marie - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 12:57 pm:
- Oswego Willy “Wouldn’t suprise me if Madigan “forgot” it was his birthday, knowing how tirelessly Madigan works everyday. ”
It’s Madigan. He forgets nothing.
- OneMan - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 12:59 pm:
Dude looks fairly good for 70…
Too bad the state doesn’t have some sort of retirement program for legislators so he could just retire and enjoy his grandkids and Florida
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 12:59 pm:
He’s not the retiring type. Plus he’s in better physical shape than most men half his age.
Happy birthday Mr. Speaker.
- mokenavince - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 1:00 pm:
Please retire.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 1:19 pm:
- Miss Marie -
My mistake - apologies!
- OurMagician - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 1:22 pm:
How we are in the state we’re in and he’s been in charge for most of it.
- Anon130 - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 1:30 pm:
Here’s a photo from the Birthday Party: https://p.twimg.com/Aq3NNuKCIAAXfC_.jpg
- Phantom - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 1:35 pm:
Maybe he lets his hair down and eats one and a half apples to celebrate the milestone. Who knows, he may even allow himself a brief peak at the SJR’s “funny pages”. He’s heard they’re quite a hoot—-if one has the time and inclination in engage in such things.
- wishbone - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 1:55 pm:
He is my age. If he had retired when I did the state would not be in the mess its in.
- Freeman - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 1:55 pm:
Mr. Madigan, sir: you should start a twitter account in celebration of your birthday.
No?
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 2:08 pm:
Happy Birthday Speaker Madigan. As I die-hard Republican acknowledge that you remain one of the greatest political minds in the history of our State.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 2:20 pm:
–As I die-hard –
Yippe-ki-yay, Louis, say it ain’t so!
- Objective Dem - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 2:26 pm:
Happy Birthday! Start thinking about which building you want in your name after you are gone.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 2:33 pm:
Also turning 70 today: Alan Price, founder and keyboardist for The Animals.
I’m not sure if “House of the Rising Son,” “We Gotta Get out of this Place,” or “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is more appropriate.
- NIref - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 2:43 pm:
Anon130 at 1:30PM wins Thursday.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 2:43 pm:
Even though you don’t like to smile…today is your day…smile.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 2:49 pm:
Sorry Wordslinger, I’m typing one handed these days!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 3:14 pm:
–I’m not sure if “House of the Rising Son,” “We Gotta Get out of this Place,” or “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is more appropriate.–
YDD, I don’t think he wants to get out of that place, I don’t think he cares if he’s misunderstood, but “House of the Rising Sun” makes the cut.
I’d add “It’s My Life” for consideration.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 3:15 pm:
Just want to make sure you’re okay, Louis.
- Casual observer - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 3:26 pm:
I bet he’s been planning this day for about…70 years.
- Jaded - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 3:50 pm:
=I guess if you can’t beat them, you call on them to retire. You have to earn that prize, folks.=
Well, he did kick Daniels rear with a Republican map in the 90’s, but the other two decades of his rule, and the beginning of the third was decided by the draw out of a hat. So, while I agree he is one of the greatest political minds in the history of the state, let’s not forget that he has the luck of the Irish on his side as well.
Also, over the past 40 years, everytime the Dems have won the draw there has been a Democrat SOS, and the Repubs only won when Ryan was SOS. Now I’m not acusing…I’m just sayin……..
- Jaded - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 3:51 pm:
Sorry, meant beginning of the fourth.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 4:09 pm:
===So, while I agree he is one of the greatest political minds in the history of the state, let’s not forget that he has the luck of the Irish on his side as well.===
He’s had an awfully long “lucky” streak …
Happy Birthday, Mr. Speaker.
- Sunshine - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 4:20 pm:
Happy Birthday!
Don’t let up!
- downsate commissioner - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 4:22 pm:
Used to hate the man, then Blago came in with the silly idea he was going to run the show… and almost did. Madigan was the only leader to stand up to him and hold the line against Blago. Thank you, Mr. Madigan for that. Still don’t agree with some of the things he does, but you have to admire his control…Happy Birthday.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 4:23 pm:
===and the beginning of the third was decided by the draw out of a hat.===
I don’t think this last map was picked out of a hat …I think Quinn won, and signed MJM and Cullerton’s map. Am I wrong?
- 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 4:23 pm:
At least he’s still working like most people his age, most because they have to, which I am sure is not his situation.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 4:44 pm:
–At least he’s still working like most people his age, most because they have to, which I am sure is not his situation.–
That didn’t look right. A little more than 16% of those 70-74 are working, according to the Census.
- D.P. Gumby - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 5:01 pm:
Wait people…isn’t everyone saying the GA should raise the retirement age for state workers? And doesn’t this provide exhibit one that our older workers can do so successfully? So, God Bless us everyone!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 5:06 pm:
Are you sure it’s today? The Internet says that Emperor Palpatine’s birthday is in August.
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/08/happy-birthday-emperor-palpatine/
- DuPage Dave - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 6:39 pm:
Happy Birthday and thanks for many years of service. Now please resign.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 6:44 pm:
=== Retire. ===
LOL.
Yeah, tell me who we’d be better off with as Speaker.
Tom Cross was Rod’s jogging buddy, Rod’s biggest ally in the General Assembly after Emil, and criticized Madigan for suggesting Rod should be impeached.
I hope you’ve got a Plan C, friends.
- amalia - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 7:39 pm:
seven decades of scaring people with a mere toss of the hands.
- Springfield watcher - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 9:54 pm:
The real question is who can do it better? No one has done so much for so little to help every part of this state. We should be thankful that MJM has dedicated his life to Illinois and this process. Shame on you for all these mean comments! He has been the best Speaker this state has ever had having to work with all those personalities of all those legislators and those Governors? The man deserves a medal!!!
- whatsit - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 9:59 pm:
Steady hand, focused, hard-working- speaker, you are the best!
- In the Sticks - Thursday, Apr 19, 12 @ 11:58 pm:
YDD - I think Lucky Man might be a better Alan Price tune to commemorate the occasion - my favorite Alan Price album and Lindsay Anderson movie.
- Cubbie Blue - Friday, Apr 20, 12 @ 1:32 am:
Happy birthday! Continued blessings of health and longevity.