* From the ILGOP…
“Boss Madigan treats Illinois like his own personal kingdom, undermining democracy and disrespecting taxpayers. That’s why the Illinois Republican Party is announcing the contest to win your very own Boss Madigan Starter Kit. House Democrats need to be reminded that their political patron rules over them with an iron fist, putting the needs of his machine before everyday Illinoisans.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Following the release of the digital ad 46 Years, the Illinois Republican Party continued its countdown towards January 11th, the election for Speaker of the Illinois House. With five days left until Decision Day, the Illinois Republican Party is announcing a contest to win your very own Boss Madigan Starter Kit!
Running a corrupt political machine for more than three decades is hard work and requires much experience making backroom deals and catering to special interests, but with this Boss Madigan Starter Kit, you can get started in no time.
To enter the contest, visit BossMadigan.com/Contest.
The Boss Madigan Starter Kit includes:
A $50 Gift Card to Saputo’s - Boss Madigan frequents the secluded backroom of this Springfield Italian restaurant, treating it as his own Godfather-like meeting space.
A Crown and a Scepter - Boss Madigan treats Illinois like his own personal kingdom, now you can pretend to be a king too!
A Red Apple - Boss Madigan is said to meticulously slice an apple a day for lunch. Share a connection with Madigan with this (non-perishable) centerpiece!
Copy of “Boss” by Mike Royko - Boss Madigan learned how to run the political machine from his mentor, Former Chicago Mayor and Political Boss Richard J. Daley. Read about Daley and learn what it takes to run a political machine for your own benefit!
I’m guessing the good folks who own Saputo’s ain’t gonna be too happy about this, especially since they’re Republicans.
Also, Madigan doesn’t frequent the restaurant’s “secluded back room.” That’s where the Rauner folks go. And those guys quote the Godfather movies like gospel. Nice ethnic stereotyping, though. Way to go, ILGOP. A new low.
But, hey, it’s all about finding a solution to the impasse, right?
Right.
- Nick Name - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 10:54 am:
Unreal.
But hey, don’t ask Rauner about this. He’s not involved. He’s focused on getting structural reforms to turnaround Illinois.
- Chicago 20 - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 10:54 am:
Must be some sort of olive branch to the Democrats. /s
- Not It - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 10:56 am:
Ugh, so silly and childish. Unlike the social media ideas of the Speaker which are focused on real solutions to our problems.
- AC - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 10:58 am:
Why would you put this out on the eve of a potential deal? It makes it seem like the ILGOP, or more specifically the largest funder of the ILGOP, fears success more than anything. In fairness, I think the Illinois Democratic party has a similar fear of messaging, any messaging, good or bad.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:00 am:
Why the pointless mafiaso slur of folks for running an Italian restaurant?
if you’re gonna use pointless ethnic slurs in a Madigan hit, shouldn’t it be against the Irish so it’s at least a direct hit?
As always though, the Raunerites don’t care. It’s about tearing down Democrats. Nothing else. No care for the state. No care for its people.
- JoeMaddon - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:01 am:
I’m in. I’ll gladly take a $50 gift card from the ILGOP.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:03 am:
Where can I order an Illinois GOP Member Kit. You know the one that includes:
A sermon against big government that includes moral outrage if a state facility is closed in my district.
Talking points about supporting higher education while my own local university is laying off staff.
Talking points about protecting Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens while human service providers in my district suffer.
Talking points about how pro-business I am while providers and vendors in my district go months without being paid.
Talking points about the evils of big money in campaigns while I’m on the way to the bank to deposit the gov’s check.
- Anon - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:04 am:
And he eats yellow delicious
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:06 am:
I’d blame Aaron DeGroot but he’s not anywhere near a person of consequence in anything politically happening with Raunerites. DeGroot is just a person Raunerites feel that his credibility isn’t worth too much, so “put your name on this Aaron” (snicker-snicker).
I’d feel bad for him, but…
These releases are there to ensure #TaxHikeMike and BossMadigan.Com are used the serving the Raunerites are Green on the Rauner Tax, and Rauner himself will deny his own signature…
… and Aaron DeGroot hides the names of the true brains behind this strategy so they aren’t laughed at.
The $50 million, today, is the freight to trade off the credibility of those like DeGroot… and to keep squeezing the beast and blaming Madigan too.
- Winnin' - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:08 am:
Must be nice to be Rauner. Fund your own frat house.
- Juice - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:10 am:
What? No Omega Theta Pi fraternity paddle to go along with it?
- Langhorne - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:10 am:
Good lord, this stuff is sophmoric. Republicans should be embarrassed this is being done in their name.
If you dont like madigans rules (copied from the repubs), propose your own, and explain why they are desirable. You dont have the votes to get them adopted, but it would form a legitimate basis for complaint.
I was on staff before rules committee approval of bills and amendments was required. It was a nightmare. A failed bill or amendment would never die. Members would propose tacking them, again and again,onto every available vehicle. Sick of the turnaround agenda? It would be continuous futility. 60 and 30.
- Jaded - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:18 am:
$50 for Saputos, sign me up. Last few times I’ve seen him out he has been at Alexander’s. I guess there is only so much Saputo’s halibut you can eat (which is the only healthy item on the menu unless of course you get it Italian breaded).
- northsider (the original) - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:21 am:
You know, the entire budget for Porkies was $25 Million and it was a lot funnier than the product Rauner’s frat boys are serving up at twice the price.
- titan - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:21 am:
Otter: … No, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part!
Bluto: We’re just the guys to do it.
- Annonin' - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:22 am:
Did you intend to have the comments turned off on the Madigan rules item? Too bad ’cause there could have been a discussion on how bad the IPies felt when they learned the Madigan rules were borrowed from Pate and Lee.
- Jaded - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:24 am:
$25 million in 1981 is worth almost $63 million in today’s dollars. Just sayin….
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:24 am:
Or - Annonin’ -…
The HDems, the Democratic Party, House Leadership could try to get ahead of some of this nonsense and embarrass DeGroot, the ILGOP, Rauner…
… but they are silent.
Again.
- Anon221 - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:27 am:
What, no “Boss Madigan” T-shirt! Ppffft…. count me out!
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:29 am:
===Did you intend to have the comments turned off on the Madigan rules item? ===
Nope. They’re back on now.
- Because I said so.... - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:47 am:
Don’t kid yourself. The turn around agenda are Rauners public goals. Getting rid of Madigan is the only thing he is laser focused on.
This is absolutely ridiculous and putting out this garbage right before a possible budget deal just goes to show Rauner really does not want to compromise. For the Raunerites, IT’S ALL ABOUT MADIGAN.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 11:51 am:
I’m tired of Madigan getting scapegoated and this vicious politics at a time when we all need to get together. Madigan is not alone in the blame. Rauner and his supporters benefited immensely and for a long time from a low state income tax. Rauner said his firm’s handling of public employee pensions was beneficial to taxpayers, and pensions and salaries are financial tumors. He wants to have it both ways.
- thoughts matter - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 12:09 pm:
This is childish. This should like Trump tweets. The Republicans used to be the adults in the room. 24 hour ‘news’, and internet fake news, along with political surrogates have driven our political system into a tailspin of constant campaigning and maligning. Didn’t your Mom ever tell you that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar?
- Chicago 20 - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
- “Rauner said his firm’s handling of public employee pensions was beneficial to taxpayers, and pensions and salaries are financial tumors.”
The “beneficial” part was only a few points off the top. Rauner reaped hundreds of millions in profits while the pension fund got pennies on the dollar.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
This is like sixth graders auditioning for National Lampoon. You just know they were giggling and slapping each other on the backs while they read out loud the final draft.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 12:34 pm:
Italian restaurant and Godfather and Mafia. I get it. Subtle.
Those kids sure are having a good time with Sugar Daddy Bruce’s money. Free pizza and Fresca, too, I bet.
Did the Rauner crew import some DC committee types for their 24/7/365 campaign? Not exactly A-Team work product here.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 12:42 pm:
Maybe they can channel all of that creativity into a budget. You know, something like cut spending, raises taxes and be responsible for your actions. You can spend millions to demonize the other party but at some point don’t you have to propose ideas that can lead toward consensus?
- Keyser Soze - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 1:55 pm:
I recommend the baked rigatoni with meatballs.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
===I recommend the baked rigatoni with meatballs===
Meh.
Chicken and peppers, but make sure you tell them you don’t want your chicken cooked “the Madigan way,” unless you like your chicken dry as heck.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
ILGOP’s latest “Boss Madigan” moves make me wonder if Rauner really is hands off once he gives them the money. His political comms staff was a lot sharper than this.
- ILGOV2016 - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
Par for the course for Rauner’s “Superstars”
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 3:35 pm:
Just when you think the ILGOP can’t hit a new low…