Question of the day
Friday, Oct 17, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As you may or may not know, the Chicago Tribune refused to endorse either attorney general candidate this week…
In her first run for statewide office, Lisa Madigan championed the notion of an aggressive attorney general. With then-Gov. George Ryan’s administration under federal investigation for widespread corruption — he would be indicted the following year and eventually imprisoned — Madigan repeatedly pledged to clean up state government:
“All too often in recent years we have seen our current attorney general sit on the sidelines in the face of mounting evidence of government corruption,” Madigan wrote to the Tribune that year, describing her plan to create a Public Integrity Division within the attorney general’s office. She exhaustively reassured voters she would not be conflicted in her role as attorney general with her father serving as speaker of the Illinois House. Allegations of wrongdoing “must be investigated, no matter if they involve Democrats, Republicans or even my father,” she said.
Twelve years later, Madigan is imprecise about her noticeable mission shift: While she can point to a few cases where her office has pursued public corruption, she has largely focused on civil matters. State’s attorneys are better equipped to prosecute corruption cases, and she has occasionally lent a hand to them, she says. She explains that she doesn’t have the authority to impanel a grand jury; legislation to empower her office with that tool has been stuck in the General Assembly. You’d almost think some legislators don’t want an attorney general to have that power to meddl …. um, to investigate.
To categorically accept that explanation for her office’s devotion to civil matters rather than criminal is to ignore Madigan’s own promises — and some of her early actions in office. Those were her words, vowing to pursue public corruption wherever it led. Those were her accusations leveled at her predecessor, Jim Ryan, who was “too passive” about fighting corruption. Those were her actions when she began investigating wrongdoing in Rod Blagojevich’s administration. That was her office that blocked a casino in Rosemont due to concerns about the potential for mob influence.
* The Question: Should AG Madigan more vigorously investigate and prosecute corruption? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
polls
- Anonymous - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:36 pm:
Being the Illinois attorney general isn’t supposed to be about being loved by every politician statewide.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:36 pm:
It is like asking Oklahomans if their state government should focus on tornado preparations.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:40 pm:
“Let’s see what that pesky Constitution says…”
As I would say with Jim Ryan, Joe Birkett, and Lisa Madigan;
Running on stopping corruption sounds swell, but the job is not being a prosecutor as defined to our thoughts of the US Attorney or a County State’s Attorney.
- OneMan - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:42 pm:
Perhaps the civil side of political corruption? Using civil actions to recover losses from corruption and frauds committed by those who work for and deal with government?
Just a thought.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:43 pm:
After reading her own words, I vote more efforts on investigating corruption.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
Despite the rhetoric from nearly every AG candidate since the dawn of time, the office is NOT a crime-fighting office. She is simply the latest victim of her own dumb tough-on-crime statements.
I also happen to think the Tribune found the narrowest of reasons to not endorse her. It’s a fair criticism, but I don’t think it’s enough to ignore the rest of her record, which is impressive.
The non-endorsement feels a bit petty to me.
- AFSCME Steward - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
OW
““Let’s see what that pesky Constitution says…”
As I would say with Jim Ryan, Joe Birkett, and Lisa Madigan;
Running on stopping corruption sounds swell, but the job is not being a prosecutor as defined to our thoughts of the US Attorney or a County State’s Attorney.”
She ran saying she was going to change the office & clean up corruption. She hasn’t, and she hasn’t made any effort to change the duties of the AG. She won’t be getting my vote.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
The pesky constitution says whatever is prescribed by law for the AG to do. Which appears to be this: http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/pdf/OAG_Brief_Description.pdf #9 would cover a lot of corruption, other sections seem to overlap.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:54 pm:
- AFSCME Steward -,
With respect, I think - 47th Ward - has my thoughts pretty good;
=== She (Madigan) is simply the latest victim of her own dumb tough-on-crime statements.===
As were Jim Ryan, especially being called out in a later run for Governor.
===I also happen to think the Tribune found the narrowest of reasons to not endorse her.===
What else can you try to make her wear the jacket on but an ideal those running for the office tout, but once in, see the endeavor beyond their realistic duties.
===It’s a fair criticism, but I don’t think it’s enough to ignore the rest of her record, which is impressive.===
Beyond fair, but judging the record should include what has been done, and what are the accomplishments. If you just say no corruption indictments, seems too simplistic, and…
===The non-endorsement feels a bit petty to me.===
…there could be why reason for the simplicity.
Running on what you can’t do, leaves you open to be criticized for what wasn’t done, and to have other accomplishments ignored.
Vote the race accordingly.
- econ prof - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:59 pm:
Madigan’s office refused to take any action against former Madison County Treasurer Fred Bathon, allowing Bathon to rig the delinquent tax auctions for years. It wasn’t until the Feds finally got involved years later that Bathon was finally sent to prison.
- Anon - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:01 pm:
The Illinois Blue Book says that she “is the people’s chief legal advocate…” If that’s the case, and given the history, I’d say that she should be doing more to battle corruption at the state and local level. She chooses not to and no one is going to force it. You may disagree with the Trib’s reasoning for refusing an endorsement, but you can’t find fault with the logic.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:04 pm:
The prosecution of public corruption is best left to the Feds because they are furthest removed from political pressures.
And if there is one thing more corrosive to our democracy than pay-to-play or bribery, it is certainly the use of police powers to pursue political ends.
Look at how the states attorney in Will County, Cook county and DuPage county have abused that power for political gain in the past.
And while my good friends at the tribune point the finger at Lisa Madigan (who opened the door), let’s not forget that Jim Ryan and the Tribune editorial board whitewashed the George Ryan corruption scandal beyond reason.
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:06 pm:
So the Tribune lists one of the biggest impediments to her launching more investigations but then goes on to whine that she isn’t launching more investigations. That’s some editorial board!
- walker - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:10 pm:
The US and State’s Attorneys have more prosecutorial teeth.
- anon - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:13 pm:
Seems to be a matter of keeping her word, assuming what the Tribune said in that regard is true.
- Dirty Red - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:22 pm:
I have always been told the AG has wanted to get more involved in political corruption cases, but has been pushed out of the picture by the Feds. I’m also curious how Mother dear would treat corruption probes by a Madigan.
Nonetheless, she campaigned on it. Fair-ish hit.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:23 pm:
While I disagree with YDD, I take his point, and would even say Lisa Madigan provides an example of such political use of the officer herself. When she tried to oust Blago without an impeachment trial by arguing the stress of defending himself made him “incapacitated” it was a rare moment of criticism of her performance as AG.
- D.P.Gumby - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:25 pm:
So much of the so called “corruption” that is supposedly exposed doesn’t warrant criminal prosecution. Lisa is doing an excellent otherwise ignored job in consumer and public protection; the last thing we need are more Patrick Fitzgerald wannabes.
- Demoralized - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:29 pm:
The AG’s office only has so many resources. They are using those resources to go after civil penalties rather than criminal matters. The AG’s office has brought a lot of money into the state.
I don’t disagree that maybe the AG’s office could do more on corruption matters. But they have chosen to leave that to the feds apparently and use their resources elsewhere.
By the way, voted for sticking with civil matters mainly due to resource issues.
- Earnest - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:36 pm:
Voted Civil. I like the stuff done to protect consumers. I think the corruption stuff would work out into more politics and less real productivity.
- VM - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:40 pm:
I’m with those who say that the prosecution of corruption should be left to prosecutors — US and state’s attorneys.
- A guy... - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:42 pm:
You could make a case either way. I happen to like Lisa, but there’s no question in my mind she would take a hands off approach to prosecuting corruption in government. There shouldn’t be two Madigans in the two positions they are in. Problem is: the voters put them there. You cannot argue with that.
Here’s what bothers me. When there was a rare and public squabble and disagreement between father and daughter, we all got the chance to see what happened. The old man rolled over her like he does everyone else. That’s not good.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:44 pm:
Lake County:
Allegedly because of politics, John Burge walked and so did Mayor Daley’s nephew.
At the opposite end, innocent men were sent to death row in DuPage County and an innocent father was framed for his own child’s murder in Will County.
I would rather suffer the slings and arrows of the Tribune editorial board than the real sufferings of a partisan Attorney General with a grand jury and political aspirations.
As I said, Madigan opened the door to these criticisms. But let’s not bring back McCarthyism dressed as Tribunism.
For goodness sake, look who they just endorsed. Bruce Rauner, who clearly bought access in Pennsylvania. Topinka, who raised $500,000 from banks while state Treasurer, and Tom Cross, who was on Rod Blagojevich’s clout list.
Oh, and all three opposed what the Tribune called “real” pension reform.
- Hacksaw Jim - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:47 pm:
From my understanding, the AG’s office has been severely understaffed and underfunded for a number of years now. There are a lot of things that the AG, constitutionally and statutorily, are required to do. After carrying out those required functions, theres very little (if any) resources that can be dedicated to the anti-corruption initiative.
And I actually think that the US Attorney’s office has done quite a bit on the corruption front. As a matter of fact, they would appear to have been a little overzealous at times (LaShawn Ford comes to mind). Not sure that there is a need for the AG to double up in an area that the Feds seem to be adequately handling.
- Keyser Soze - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:55 pm:
Crusading prosecutors eventually morph into demagogues (see recent New York examples). I voted stay civil; leave “police work” to the police.
- Amalia - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:10 pm:
the lawyers I know found the editorial ridiculous and none of them are even close to Madigan sycophants.
- Carl Draper - Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:29 pm:
I often face the AG office. All too often, the lawyers in that office talk of the State agencies or Governor as “my client.”
The Attorney General position is created in the Constitution and that makes that office co-equal to the Governor.
What I see is a great willingness to just do what the Governor or his agencies want instead of what should be done for Illinois citizens.
Any AG should retain total independence and flex some muscle to back it up.