* WBEZ…
The Champaign County State’s Attorney revealed Friday that her office is now working with other state and federal agencies on a investigation into a 2012 email written by a former powerful Springfield lobbyist that referred to an unspecified “rape in Champaign,” WBEZ has learned.
Democratic Champaign State’s Attorney Julia Rietz told WBEZ in an interview Friday afternoon that her office is involved in a “comprehensive investigation” with the Illinois Attorney General, the Illinois State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois into the content of the email.
“There are efforts being made to unravel this – again – cryptic, unspecific allegation regarding a sexual assault,” Rietz said.
* Meanwhile, the mayor stood up for the governor…
…Adding… More from the mayor’s remarks…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined the chorus calling for a criminal investigation of the alleged rape mentioned in McClain’s email. But she added a perspective that’s been missed.
“If there was a rape, we have a victim out there who’s watching. Hopefully not. But I have concerns the person is being re-traumatized by the way in which this story is unfolding and the way that we’re talking about it and losing site of the fact that there’s a potential victim out there,” the mayor said.
“It’s mind-boggling that someone would put something like that in an email so blithely as an argument for why a particular person should be saved from disciplinary action. Mike McClain will have to give account for himself, I would imagine, on a number of different fronts in the coming days and weeks. But this one is something unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.”
* Pat Quinn spoke up…
Former Gov. Pat Quinn and currently Gov. JB Pritzker are among the state lawmakers calling for an investigation after WBEZ reported an email from a former lobbyist hinted at a rape cover-up.
The email was reportedly sent to aides to then-Gov. Quinn. Details about that rape case and apparent cover-up are unknown. […]
Quinn has said he had no knowledge of the matters mentioned in the email, but has called for an investigation. He said he was unaware of the email until he was told about it by reporters.”
”I think it must be fully investigated by law enforcement and justice must be done and the truth must come out. That’s what I believe,” he said.
* And Greg Hinz is done with MJM…
- AD - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:26 pm:
Good for Hinz. Agreed. This isn’t a court of law, it’s a court of public opinion and Madigan should be gone. Rich, do you agree?
- Unpopular - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:46 pm:
Madigan will be missed by the republicans. They have raised a lot of money off him, and he is more conservative than the new wave dems.
- ILPundit - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:46 pm:
Hinz is 100% right. Madigoons will never believe its possible, but we’ve clearly passed the point where, aside from any alleged wrongdoing or legal exposure, the Speaker has now become a clear electoral liability for Democratic candidates.
Every Democrat in the state is now going to have to grapple with messaging about State Party Chair Madigan and his “pro-rape” buddies.
Not to mention the fact that Madigan himself would have thrown any other Democratic candidate under the bus for 1/10 of this type of political liability.
It is time for Madigan to go.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:48 pm:
Hubris may have made him blind to writing on the wall.
- Steve - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:53 pm:
Greg Hinz makes an impressive case for why Madigan should no longer be Speaker. The decision is up to those elected officials who voted for Madigan as Speaker.
- Real - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:53 pm:
All these years of talk and Boss Madigan is still the boss.
- Flat Bed Ford - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
So that makes it Skillicorn, Batinick and Hinz that have the courage to call for Madigan’s resignation.
- 19th Ward Guy - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:58 pm:
He can’t leave voluntarily now. That’s his only bargaining chip if the feds hit him. Unless hes removed, he’s staying till the bitter end. Once again, Illinois citizens lose.
- Small p - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
What did ann Spillane know
- Out There In The Middle - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
“it’s obvious Madigan’s closest associates felt that no one could hold them to account”
This sums up the most depressing thing about politics - both in Springfield and in DC. Every elected official with ANY power has some staffers whose only guiding principle is “protect the boss”. No moral compass at all, Just protect the boss.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:10 pm:
Said this earlier but I think still true
What is to investigate without a victim? No one steps forth no crime. In this state she may have a great job now or even a ghost job. That would involve her in a crime. Lots of luck.
- Bigtwich - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:43 pm:
What did Small p know
- Nick Name - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
===So that makes it Skillicorn, Batinick and Hinz that have the courage to call for Madigan’s resignation.===
It takes absolutely no courage at all to call for Mike Madigan’s resignation. Heck, in most cases it’s a fundraising appeal.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
Madigan needs to go. He’s been a political liability for Illinois Democrats for years. I doubt anyone in the GA will speak up now especially when they can wait and see if the feds get him.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 4:08 pm:
===He’s been a political liability for Illinois Democrats for years===
People are very upset at him, candidates constantly hear about him at the doors and he’s perhaps the most unpopular politician in America, but he has 74 seats in his chamber. The griping hasn’t really hurt him yet.